Arsenal: 2 huge boosts in James Maddison transfer pursuit

Despite having an extensive amount of work to do this summer, James Maddison has risen straight to the top of the pile. He might not be the priority at Arsenal or the likeliest addition but he’s the name on everyone’s lips and it’s speculation that will not be dissipating any time soon.

Arsenal do hold a genuine interest in Maddison. While the stories surrounding his potential signing will differ from outlet to outlet, usually regarding price or possibility, there is no denying that Mikel Arteta is a big fan.

A vital position to bolster whether it is Maddison or someone else, Emile Smith Rowe will require help in that department as he can’t fly the creative flag on his own.

Such is his rapid rise and magnificent talent that one can already envisage him and Bukayo Saka belting out the England national anthem together at Wembley in the not so distant future. He is a local theatre star en route to Hollywood.

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Arsenal handed 2 huge boosts in James Maddison transfer pursuit as Mikel Arteta eyes Leicester forward as key summer signing

But he will need help. Smith Rowe doesn’t register the key passes, goals or assists just yet that Arsenal require to boost their weak goal tally and someone else to help bear that mantle is an essential purchase. It won’t shunt him out of the team. It shouldn’t.

Is the Leicester man the player to do that?

The lack of speculation elsewhere is also heightening the anticipation. An area that has to be tended to this window, the other options that have been mentioned to come in as a playmaker are Houssem Aouar, and not much else. It’s all gone very lukewarm with the Frenchman.

Whatever is to come of this particular deal, whether successful or not, is going to be a long and arduous road with an outcome probably arriving much later into the window.

It’s going to be an expensive deal too, one that will require some Kroenke attention, and any boosts for the hopes of signing him will be welcome.

Already it’s been reported that Arsenal are exploring including their Hale End stars in the deal to help reduce the asking price. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson are both up for sale this summer, the latter having just one year left on his contract, and Leicester will be floated the idea.

Fortunately for the Gunners, they’ve been handed a boost with that idea.

Continued…

Leicester Interested in Ainsley Maitland-Niles Transfer

It’s all well and good offering a club the chance to take one of their players as some form of makeweight in a deal, but they have to actually want them. Alex Runarsson and Sead Kolasinac are no use here.

Therefore it’s fortunate that Maitland-Niles is actually a wanted man at the King Power Stadium. Music to Arsenal ears.

As per Simon Stone of the BBC, the Foxes are joined by Southampton and Burnley in expressing an interest to sign the 23-year-old this summer, with previous reports of Crystal Palace also making inquiries. Brendan Rodgers’ side were also highly interested back in January.

Plenty of Premier League clubs are eyeing a move for Maitland-Niles, who has two years left to run on his deal, and with Arsenal able to give Leicester the priority pick, as it were, it can only help in their efforts to bring in Maddison.

How much of Maddison’s fee could be knocked off by the Hale Ender? Value is tough to pinpoint this window due to the depressed state of the market, although transfers within the English top-flight aren’t falling as foul to that.

Premier League clubs still have money and it’s the best place to be selling to stand any chance of extracting the value you feel worthy of your talent. With that in mind, Arsenal shouldn’t be looking to go any lower than £15-£18m for Maitland-Niles, and in truth should be starting off at around £25m. The latter figure is highly unlikely but it is a starting point.

He’s versatile, proven in the division, young and homegrown. He ticks a lot of boxes. Should Arsenal be able to knock the Foxes down to a far more manageable £50m or so (which is still an outstanding amount of money) then they could be in business.

You still need the selling club to want to sell, though. Which is why Arsenal could be receiving another boost in this exciting pursuit.

Continued…

Leicester Line Up Matheus Pereira as James Maddison Replacement

There are many was to gain encouragement when pursuing a deal although none can be quite as welcome as when you see the club in question being linked with an apparent replacement.

If you’re a Leicester fan then you wouldn’t be too disheartened to see Matheus Pereira mooted, someone who enjoyed a fine season for West Brom last term despite their relegation. Netting 11 goals, weighing in with six assists and creating 60 chances in a desperately poor side is nothing to be scoffed at. All those figures surpassed Maddison’s tallies.

Links have been around for the Foxes and the Brazilian for most of the summer with talk of a £25m price tag the sticking point. The Maddison money will more than make up for that.

He’s already halfway out the exit door, too.

"“It’s not a secret, Sam Johnstone and Matheus Pereira are the two players who can leave,” Baggies boss Valerien Ismael said. “It’s my expectation they will leave.”"

The latest surrounding the 25-year-old’s future come from Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida, who states that both West Ham and Leicester are ‘very interested’ in signing the playmaker with proposals expected shortly.

Very encouraging indeed. Of course, he could be eyed up to play on the right wing where Ayoze Perez has flattered to deceive, but this has an air of ‘replacement’ about it. These links are still new though and when more arise it will give a better indication of Brendan Rodgers’ thinking.

If Arsenal can agree a deal in principle with the Foxes then it could become a similar situation as it was with Kieran Tierney. The move was sorted with Celtic and Arsenal bode their time while the club sought a replacement. Once found the deal went ahead.

Given this is all coming to life over the past few days, there can be no certainties. No conclusions being jumped to. Other news will trickle through and clarity will be offered.

The early signs are nonetheless positive.