Arsenal are hoping they can tempt a Premier League rival into a huge deal this summer, according to the latest reports.
The Gunners are said to be interested in signing Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
According to the Daily Mail, Sportsmail understands that Arsenal believe there is still an opportunity to strike an agreement, with Gunners officials confident a package worth about £60m may get the deal done.
That’s despite the fact that Leicester rejected a £70million offer for the player last summer.
Maddison would offer the club a natural number 10 option and after Martin Odegaard returned to Real Madrid from loan, it’s clear the Gunners are in need of another top class player in that position.
Emile Smith Rowe has performed well there, but he has also looked good from the left and with Smith Rowe’s injury record, the club cannot rely solely on him in that position.
Maddison’s ability to retain possession well, with a 83.3% pass accuracy and take shots (2.4 per game) will really interest Arteta. Offensively he averages 1.6 key passes per game and makes 0.9 dribbles.
The statistics point to Maddison being less safe in possession but perhaps more potent in front of goal than Odegaard. The Gunners were seriously lacking goals last season so they would welcome Maddison’s proven ability to both score and assist.
Proven Premier League quality appears to be what Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are searching for in this window, with the club also hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Ben White.