Arsenal have made their first move to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison by enquiring about his availability through intermediaries.
That’s according to Football.London, who report that no official bid has been made by Arsenal just yet.
They have though established contact with Leicester through intermediaries, in what seems to be a recurring theme with the Gunners this summer.
It’s been a similar story with Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with Sky Sports claiming that the Blades have been contacted through intermediaries acting on Arsenal’s behalf.
Arsenal will hope this strategy pays dividends on both players, though the Football.London report does state that Arsenal haven’t given up on signing Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard just yet.
Maddison, 24, has been one of the Premier League’s most creative players since joining Leicester from Norwich City in 2018, and that’s exactly what the Gunners are seeking after Mesut Ozil’s exit.
The problem for Arsenal is that Leicester have European football this coming season and look like a stronger bet for a top four finish than Mikel Arteta’s side.
Their hopes have been dealt something of a blow as Eurosport journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones has told The Football Terrace that Maddison is hesitating over a possible move.
Jones suggests that Maddison isn’t entirely convinced by a move to Arsenal, seemingly in two minds – which won’t exactly encourage Arsenal.
“Going from Leicester to Arsenal, technically it’s a backwards step right now,” said Jones. “Leicester are actually a better team, I know Arsenal are a bigger club, but in terms of where the next couple of years of your career are, is it the right choice for him? I think there has been some hesitancy there, and Arsenal need to really persuade him – not necessarily the financials, but of the project,” he added.
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