Arsenal could potentially have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
The Gunners have been strongly linked with a swoop for the England international all summer amid Mikel Arteta’s search for a creative midfielder to add to his squad following the departure of loanee Martin Odegaard.
football.london understands that the Spaniard is a huge admirer of Maddison but thus far a move has failed to come to fruition, with the Foxes asking price proving a huge hurdle for Arsenal at the current time – especially without European football.
Nevertheless, the Gunners could have been handed considerable encouragement with Leicester’s decision to hold onto Youri Tielemans.
According to The Telegraph, the Foxes are set to reopen contract talks with the Belgian at the King Power Stadium amid previously reported interest from Liverpool.
With the former Anderlecht and AS Monaco man tied down in the East-Midlands, this would potentially kill any talk of a summer move.
In previous seasons, the Foxes have been shrewd in their transfer business in selling a key player each summer after they lifted the Premier League crown in 2016.
Major sales have included the likes of N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Maguire and most recently Ben Chilwell.
That trend looked set to continue with both Tielemans and Maddison linked with moves away.
Now, with the Belgian out of the picture in relation to a potential departure, it is Arsenal target Maddison who now appears to be the most likely to leave the club this summer.
The 24-year-old, who netted 11 goals in all competitions last term, still has three years left to run on his current deal at the King Power Stadium having committed to a new contract just last summer.
He previously expressed his delight at remaining with Leicester.
Talking after penning his new four-year deal, Maddison said: “I’m so happy to sign a new contract for this Football Club. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a Leicester City player with so many positive things happening on and off the pitch and I’m delighted to be part of that.”