Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are among the six Premier League clubs that are chasing Norwich City’s James Maddison.
Norwich City midfielder James Maddison is set to spark a transfer war in the summer as newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City are vying for his signature along with rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as per a report from the Mirror.
The 21-year old has been the Canaries’ best player this season and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed as three of the big six teams from the Premier League are eyeing a move for the talented playmaker, while Everton, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion are also understood to be in the reckoning.
Having come through the Coventry City academy, Maddison joined Norwich in the summer of 2016, but spent the first half of the season away on-loan with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen. The midfielder returned to Carrow Road in January. He did not make much of an impact during the second half of the 2016/17 campaign.
However, the 21-year old is enjoying a very fruitful season in the EFL Championship with the Canaries this time around. Maddison, in his first full season with Norwich, has come up with a return of 15 goals and 11 assists in 46 games across all competitions. His exploits have earned him a spot in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for 2018.
Maddison broke into the England U-21 setup in November last year and has gone on to make three appearances for Aidy Boothroyd’s side so far.
No Championship player has won more points for his club than James Maddison has this season.
? 14 goals scored
? 16 points wonWithout his goals, Norwich would be in 21st place, two points above a relegation spot. pic.twitter.com/SmUb1h8dG5
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) April 18, 2018
A talented attack-minded midfielder, Maddison possesses a strong creative edge to his game and has that knack of producing defence-splitting passes on a consistent basis while he also is a very good dribbler of the ball. And add to that, his eye for a goal and prowess from set-piece situations, the 21-year old has shown all signs of a star in the making.
Arsenal could use someone of his qualities and potential in their ranks, given the lack of a like-to-like backup for playmaker Mesut Ozil. However, a lot would depend on who will be the manager at the club come next season, with current gaffer Arsene Wenger’s job hanging in the balance.
A move to North London rivals Tottenham would appeal to the player considering manager Mauricio Pochettino’s success in getting the best out of young players. But given that the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen will be ahead of him in the pecking order, chances wouldn’t come as frequently. Same would be the case with champions Manchester City considering the riches of attacking talent at their disposal already.
The England U-21 international signed a new contract worth £13,000-per-week with Norwich in June last year, that runs till the summer of 2021, with the club having an option to extend it by a further year. And the Canaries are understood to be keen on holding on to their prized asset. However, if any of the big guns come calling at the end of the season, it is unlikely that the player would remain at Carrow Road.
