Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Leicester City have no intention to sell their best players, striking a blow to Arsenal who had hoped to strike a deal to sign James Maddison this summer.
The Gunners are believed to be in the hunt to sign a new number 10 this summer, with Martin Odegaard having returned to Real Madrid at the end of his loan term this summer, with Emile Smith Rowe the club’s only solid option for the role at present.
Maddison and Odegaard are two believed to be high on our wishlist, but it may be tougher than expected to sign the former following manager Rodgers comments, insisting that his club has no need to sell their assets this summer.
“In conversations with the club, we don’t have to sell. That’s something that’s been made clear,” Rodgers said after full-time of their latest draw with Queens Park Rangers(via Football.London), a match missed by James after the birth of his child.
“The players want to stay. It’s a really exciting time at the club.
“There’s lots of gossip and speculation around but I’m loving working with the guys here, they love being here, and we certainly have no need to sell. So I would suspect we’re looking to keep our best players.”
Arsenal do appear to be serious about improving the first-team this summer, but whether the budget can stretch to bring in both Maddison as well as a top striker is yet to be seen. We also appear to be struggling to offload the players we would have liked, forcing our hand a little bit, so I’m thinking that our interest in Leicester’s number 10 will go on the back-burner for the time being.
Should Maddison’s signing be made a priority? What would be a fair price for the creative spark?
Patrick
We can’t afford 60million for a player with series of injuries, better we buy Bruno Guimaraes or Kulusevski Dejan, they are stronger, faster and direct than Maddison/Odegaard.
Apart from skills, we lack speed and stamina ,
Check out every other top team In EPL, they have at least 4/5 energetic players on the pitch at all times,
As for Arsenal, we probably have 1/2 on the pitch that get tired after 20mins,
If we have Martinelli, Willock to play along others, I’m sure we’ll press hard and get goals but “No” , instead we have Aubameyang, Elneny and Xhaka(atimes) who stress there team mates,
Hoppefully Willock won’t be sold….
He’s a great player but for the price too risky. He’s not playing regular enough cos of injuries. If he can be purchased for 45m probably Arsenal can give it a go or try elsewhere.
Even Ode is not worth it at all.
All are high priced even at this covid 19 period. Unless our transfer listed players are sold if not scout more teams.
Other options out there for much less cost and less risk regarding injury record. For example, Arsenal can get Aouar and Guimaraes from Lyon for the same cost and Lyon, unlike Leicester City, have to sell.
I have looked at Comments on some Leicester city fans regarding Maddison and the fans don’t seem to be that convinced with him.
I have realised that Arsenal fans are much more hyped up about him while Leicester fans are not that hyped.
The most common comments on there are;
“Maddison is a very good player but he is so inconsistent, he will come up with a screamer here and there”.
“Maddison is injury prone”.
“£60-£70 million for him unbelievable”
“Why would he choose a club in decline like Arsenal in the first place? It’s a sideways move”.
I do agreed with longbenark that we are lacking speedy players with physical body as we have only martineli who is on right flag but we need no.10 with physical attribut with good height