Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted that James Maddison is going nowhere amid heavy links with Arsenal over a summer move.
Arsenal have been quite busy in the summer transfer window to date. The Gunners have, so far, primarily focused on improving the defensive aspect of their first-team squad. Such an outlook has seen them securing the services of Nuno Tavares and Ben White for the defensive unit while Albert Sambi Lokonga has arrived to bolster midfield.
At the same time, a few key players could be on their way out to the Emirates to make way for some of the remaining targets on Arsenal’s radar. While many have been deemed to be surplus to requirements, the selling phase is proving to be problematic for various reasons.
As for their remaining targets, one James Maddison features prominently in transfer rumours, with recent reports claiming that Arsenal have had a player-plus-cash offer for the English playmaker knocked back by Leicester City. This is amid suggestions that the Foxes had the choice of four different Arsenal players in such a deal.
As for the player himself, as Maddison is rumoured to be open to the prospect of swapping current club Leicester with Arsenal. However, if the Foxes’ manager Brendan Rodger is to be believed, the 24-year-old playmaker is not going anywhere despite the heavy links with the north London giants.
The Leicester boss, as quoted by London Evening Standard, said: “I believe so. I haven’t been told anything to say that he wouldn’t be. He’s happy in training, he’s working very hard. He’s just recently become a father, so responsibility off the pitch as well.
“Clearly there’s gossip and speculation that goes around, especially at this time of the year. But James is a very important member of our squad here.”
Rodgers’ comments come off as a bit of a “hands-off” warning for Arsenal as well in addition to an insistence that he will stay put at the King Power Stadium. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if the Gunners can produce any sort of offer that can tempt the former Premier League winners to cash in on the English playmaker before the summer transfer window slams shut.
