Arsenal priced out of move for Mikel Arteta’s top target
Mikel Arteta wants to rebuild Arsenal’s midfield around James Maddison, but Leicester have priced the Gunners out of a move for the talented Englishman.
Arsenal understand they need more production from the midfield if they want to move up the Premier League table next season. Adding James Maddison to the mix would have been a perfect summer signing for manager Mikel Arteta. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Leicester City are in no mood to let go of their English talisman.
According to The Leicester Mercury, the Foxes have moved to quell any transfer speculation surrounding Maddison by slapping an £80 million price tag on his head. As much as Arsenal admire his skills, they aren’t in a financial position to offer that kind of money for a single player this summer.
Adding to the problems for Arsenal is the fact that Leicester officials will only sanction a Maddison sale if expresses unhappiness at the club. To date, the silky midfielder hasn’t expressed an ounce of displeasure with continuing his career under Brendan Rodgers.
Should Arsenal bite the bullet and pay what’s required?
Maddison is an exceptional talent, but Arsenal shouldn’t feel compelled to meet Leicester’s exorbitant demands. There are plenty of other midfielders who can provide the Gunners with a significant upgrade in the middle of the park this season.
Even if those alternative options aren’t quite on Maddison’s level, Arsenal should try to find a deal where they can acquire 80% of the player for 20% of the price. Maddison isn’t quite the transcendent star that’s going to elevate Arsenal’s starting XI all by himself. Paying a fee of £80 million should be reserved for that sort of superstar.
Next. Arsenal are closing in on the boring transfer they need. dark
Arsenal’s lack of European football this season means it should be a summer of solid additions rather than superstar transfers. Adding solid, but unspectacular players can help provide the Gunners a solid base to rejoin the Premier League elite next season. Overpaying for sexy superstars is what’s gotten the club in this mess. Paying over the odds for Maddison would only be an example of repeating past mistakes for Arteta and the higher-ups at the club.