Arsenal are interested in signing Leicester midfielder James Maddison as part of the club’s summer rebuild.
Mikel Arteta is finalising his transfer plans as the Gunners look to build on a positive season, with midfield additions the focus for the Arsenal manager.
Declan Rice remains the north London side’s number one target for the summer transfer window, but the Daily Mirror are reporting that Arsenal are also keen on England teammate Maddison.
The 26-year-old has been the standout performer for Leicester across the last two seasons, but is expected to move on at the end of the season regardless of whether the Foxes remain in the Premier League.
Maddison has scored 10 goals and laid on nine assists in the Premier League this season, despite Leicester’s struggle for results. Dean Smith’s side are 18th in the table and will be relegated if the club fail to win against West Ham this weekend, or if Everton beat Bournemouth.
Maddison – who was subject of an approach from Newcastle last summer – looks set for a transfer as the midfielder looks to retain his place in the England squad, having made his first start for the Three Lions during March’s international break. His ability to feature in a number of roles will appeal to Arteta, who wants to improve his squad ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League return.
Arsenal will raise funds for their summer business with a number of sales. Granit Xhaka is closing in on a move to Bayer Leverkusen, while Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are among the other names expected to move on.
