Arsenal: Locatelli, Maddison, Aouar, & Odegaard transfer latest

James Maddison – Leicester City

A lot of supporters have allowed themselves to soak up talk of a move for James Maddison, one that could well break Arsenal’s record transfer fee if completed.

Will it, though?

He’s someone Arteta is a huge admirer of and if we’re looking at the profile of player being eyed this summer then the 24-year-old is an ideal fit.

Whatever happens, it will be expensive. Leicester Mercury journalist Jordan Blackwell has weighed in most recently trying to dampen any Arsenal fires, stating that the fees in question would price Arsenal out of a move. It’s been mentioned that any transfer would move near to Harry Maguire (£80m) territory.

Football.london have reinforced the message that Arsenal are admirers of Maddison, but they also reference the fee as a crucial factor, although are slightly less heavy-handed with a £60m+ figure.

These days it’s impossible to ignore the famous ‘ITK’ TheAFCBell (they’re even verified now), who peddled the Thomas Partey story from start to finish. Such accounts need a lot of scepticism, but they state that Maddison wants the move and Arsenal are prepared to off a four-year deal with an optional extra 12 months that doubles his salary.

Make of that what you will.

Or conversely, you could focus on The Athletic reporting that this is a deal the Gunners ‘are not believed to be actively pursuing a deal at present’.