Arsenal are prepared to complete a bumper swoop for James Maddison by offering a five-year contract and the opportunity to wear the number ten shirt.
According to the reliable AFC Bell, Arsenal are expected to make a shock attempt to sign James Maddison. The Leicester City playmaker expects the north London giants to offer him a bumper four-year contract with the option to extend it for a further year, with double the wages he currently earns at King Power Stadium.
Moreover, the Gunners are expected to hand him the iconic number ten shirt, previously worn by Mesut Ozil. Arsenal are aware of the difficulties they might face in negotiations with Leicester City but believe that Maddison is not an unrealistic target and is apparently the favoured option in their attempt to replace Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal have been quite unfortunate in the market this summer, notably missing out on Emiliano Buendia last month. They have also been dealt with disappointment in their pursuit of Odegaard, while most of the other options in the market are simply way too expensive.
Maddison, too, is set to cost a fortune for the Premier League giants, having enjoyed immense success since his move to Leicester City in 2018. He has racked up 118 competitive appearances, scoring 27 goals while chipping in with 20 assists. The Englishman has also emerged as one of the league’s finest chance creators, alongside the likes of Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne.
His performances have indeed played a vital role in helping Leicester secure European football for back to back seasons. But after failing to secure Champions League football, it appears the former Norwich City starlet is ready to take the next step in his career.
Arsenal might not be a practical option as they missed out on Europe altogether last season, for the first time in 26 years. However, the Englishman does have the prospect of becoming the creator-in-chief for one of the most prestigious clubs in England and help them restore their lost glory.
At Emirates, Maddison can potentially link up with his compatriot Bukayo Saka and Gabonese international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, adding the much-needed creative supply going forward.
However, reports last summer suggested that Arsenal might have to fork out as much as £80 million for James Maddison this summer. It could be a daunting challenge for the Gunners, who are already suffering from a financial crisis and have to address many weaknesses over the course of the ongoing transfer window.
It will be interesting to see how the potential departures boost the club’s finances, with Matteo Guendouzi already joining Marseille on a loan deal.
