Arsenal are considering a move for Leicester midfielder James Maddison as they look to bolster their creative midfield area, football.london understands.
football.london revealed on Tuesday that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Maddison and will target him this summer, with Martin Odegaard looking increasingly likely to stay at Real Madrid after returning from his loan spell at Emirates Stadium.
A source close to Maddison told football.london that the 24-year-old is ‘at the top of the list’ for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
It’s also understood that Chelsea would move for Maddison if Hakim Ziyech departed Stamford Bridge this summer, a scenario which looks unlikely as things stand.
The major sticking point for Arsenal however, is Leicester’s demands of over £60million for the former Norwich and Coventry midfielder.
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Arsenal took out a loan from Barclays for an unspecified amount last month, which is expected to help them secure their initial targets in the transfer window.
Furthermore, the imminent player sales of Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Dinos Mavropanos will bolster the club’s finances as they look to sign more than four players.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has said previously he has no desire to keep anybody in his squad who is not fully committed to the club.
“If a player doesn’t want to be here, with all due respect, we don’t want them here. It’s as simple as that,” Rodgers last summer.
“If (City sell), there’s always a premium for that player. Leicester have shown that, long before my time here. They’re very good from a business perspective.”
“If there’s a player to go, they’ll look to get maximum value for that player.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and will come back with a second bid for the highly-rated starlet, after having their £12.9million offer rejected.
Lokonga impressed for his side in the top-flight last season, scoring three goals and assisting twice for his team-mates over the course of 27 league games, with his performances seemingly catching the eye of Gunners scouts.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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Sead Kolasinac is another player on his way out and it’s understood that Lazio have firmed up their interest in the Bosnian defender, who will be allowed to leave Arsenal for around £2.5million.
football.london understands that the north London club are set for a huge squad overhaul this summer, with numerous players expected to leave and arrive at the Emirates.