For a second successive summer, James Maddison to Arsenal could be a hot transfer topic amid reports linking the Leicester City midfielder with a move to north London ahead of the 2022/23 season. Although, the Gunners could face competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur to land a long-time target.
It has been claimed that the Foxes could be tempted to cash in on the 25-year-old this summer in order to freshen up Brendan Rodgers' playing squad - but will still command a big fee said to be in the region of £60m which could turn out to be a sticking point for Arsenal in particular.
As previously revealed by football.london , the reason a deal for Maddison did not materialise last summer is because the Gunners were not willing to pay in excess of £60million and when Martin Odegaard became available for half the price in the closing weeks of the transfer window, the decision was made to close the deal for the Norway international instead.
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That decision has been vindicated over the course of the season with the former Real Madrid playmaker putting in consistent displays in helping establish the Gunners as genuine top-four contenders and football.london have reported that it was unlikely the club will make a move for Maddison anytime soon.
However, the fact that Arsenal's most consistent run of form since Mikel Arteta took charge coincided with Thomas Partey operating at the base of a midfield trio and Martin Odegaard slotting in perfectly as a right-sided No.8 where he can combine effectively with Bukayo Saka in a 4-3-3 formation could result in a change of heart over pursuing a deal for Maddison.
The general consensus amongst fans is that there is still one position up for grabs and it's on the left-side of the midfield three which Granit Xhaka has been moved into of late. As Maddison's preference is to play as a No.8, he could operate next to Partey and Odegaard if the Gunners decide to make another move for him this summer, thus completing the Arteta's tactical vision at the Emirates.
"No.8 definitely," Maddison said when asked for his preferred position, as per Leicestershire Live. "I played as a No.10 at the start of last season, and then when the gaffer [Rodgers] came in, I transitioned into a No.8, and sometimes I play off the left. I don’t want to be labelled as a No.10. I’m not a No.10. I can’t remember a game where I’ve played as a No.10 this season, maybe West Ham at home.
"Being a No.8 has made me add that defensive side to my game. I’m never going to be a big tackler, I’m never going to go around smashing people. It’s that awareness and that responsibility of getting little toes in, little interceptions, because as a No.8 you find yourself deeper a lot, so I’ve had to add that."
Amid links to Fabian Ruiz, Renato Sanches and Youri Tielemans, it seemed that Arteta and Gunners technical director Edu had moved on from Maddison. But with the 25-year-old's admission over his favoured role and 13 goals across all competitions from midfield so far this season, pursuing a summer move would make a lot of sense on the aforementioned duo's behalf.
If Maddison was to join, he would be regarded as an upgrade on Xhaka in the midfield three alongside Odegaard and Partey next season thus completing Arsenal's transformation in the engine room and perhaps providing a platform for Arteta's side to challenge for major honours.
