Arsenal

Arsenal: Dean Jones discusses club’s hunt for James Maddison

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Image for Arsenal: Dean Jones discusses club’s hunt for James Maddison

Transfer insider Dean Jones has offered his thoughts on Arsenal’s attempts to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.

Arsenal are looking to bounce back after what was a very difficult and disappointing season for them in 2020/21, which saw them miss out on European football for the first time since the 1995/96 season.

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One of the main problems that they faced last season was a lack of creativity, which they tried to address in January with the signing of Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard, a move that seemed to be working out well.

To try and solve that problem this summer, they have reportedly turned their attention to Maddison, valued at £49.5m on Transfermarkt, who has created 20 goals on top of the 27 he has bagged for himself since moving to the King Power Stadium.

But speaking on the latest edition of Touchline Talk, Jones claimed that he felt like the move wouldn’t take place:

“I do believe that the rumour is true that Arsenal have interest in James Maddison, I know that much. But I don’t think it will happen.”

TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments about James Maddison to Arsenal…

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It does seem, at least from the outside, that it would take something of a minor miracle for Arsenal to be able to take him away from Leicester for a number of reasons.

Firstly financial, with Leicester reportedly turning down a £70m bid for him last summer – so they might need to up the bid on that end, but given their financial situation, it might be difficult for them to make that happen.

And with the club missing out on Europe and Leicester City in the Europa League, he would be taking a step down in terms of the competitions that he’d be playing in next year.

That’s not to say it’s impossible, as if they sell enough players to raise enough funds to go over and above Leicester and Maddison’s financial demands, then it could be an option, but there seem to be too many things that need to happen for the prospect of signing him to become realistic.

In other news: ‘As far as I’m aware’ – Charles Watts reveals Odegaard latest at Arsenal

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.