Leicester City are reportedly willing to listen to offers for star playmaker James Maddison, handing Arsenal a major boost in their pursuit of the Englishman.
According to a report from 90 min, Arsenal have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of James Maddison as Leicester City are open to receiving offers for the England playmaker.
Maddison has been with Leicester since the summer of 2018, having arrived from Norwich City and has grown into one of the top creative midfielders in the Premier League during this period. The 24-year-old, to date, has racked up 118 appearances for the Foxes, producing a return of 27 goals and 20 assists, winning an FA Cup in the process.
Maddison signed a new long-term contract with Leicester in August last year, extending his stay at the King Power Stadium till 2024. However, his future with the Foxes has now become a subject of hot debate, amid serious interest from fellow Premier League club, Arsenal.
It is no secret that the Gunners are in the market for a new playmaker this summer after having been blighted by a lack of creativity in the early parts of the last season. Those issues were resolved to a certain extent following the induction of Emile Smith Rowe into the first-team and the loan signing of Martin Odegaard in January.
Arsenal have done well to tie Smith Rowe down to a new long-term contract at the Emirates. However, despite their intent to bring Odegaard back to the club on a permanent transfer from Real Madrid, a deal is highly impossible. As a result, the north London giants have been scouring the market for alternatives, with Maddison emerging as one.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to make a mega offer for Maddison this summer. It has also been claimed that the 24-year-old England international would himself be open to a switch to the Emirates Stadium, amid reports that the Gunners have already agreed personal terms with the playmaker.
Now, they have been handed yet another boost in pursuit of Maddison, with Leicester said to be open to listening to offers for their star man. While the Foxes are not actively looking to offload the 24-year-old, they are aware of the interest he is generating and would entertain the possibility of a sale should a big offer come along.
The ball, as it seems, lies in Arsenal’s court now, with the onus on Mikel Arteta & co. to come up with an offer that would compel Leicester to part ways with Maddison this summer.