James Maddison eyed for an Arsenal move

Reports suggest that Arsenal could potentially part ways with one of their current stars in order to secure the signing of James Maddison from Leicester City during the summer transfer window.

Maddison, the talented playmaker from Leicester, has garnered interest from multiple Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Newcastle, and Liverpool. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is actively seeking midfield reinforcements to bolster his squad ahead of a demanding Champions League campaign.

At the same time, it is widely anticipated that Granit Xhaka will leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season, after reportedly expressing his desire to depart from the club to Arteta. With Xhaka’s potential departure, Arsenal’s priority target for midfield reinforcement is believed to be Declan Rice, who has expressed his intention to leave West Ham in pursuit of Champions League football.

However, James Maddison, another England international, is also on Arsenal’s radar. The 26-year-old is expected to leave Leicester City at the end of the season, regardless of the club’s ability to secure their Premier League status.

If Arsenal were to successfully secure Maddison’s signature, it could come at the expense of fan favorite Emile Smith Rowe. Despite Arsenal achieving their best Premier League finish since 2004, it has been a challenging season for Smith Rowe, who has spent much of it on the sidelines.

The 22-year-old midfielder had a breakthrough season under Arteta last year, scoring ten goals in the Premier League. However, his progress was impeded by a groin injury that required surgery, sidelining him for a significant period. Upon his return to fitness, Smith Rowe found himself out of the starting lineup, seemingly behind Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson in the pecking order.

Recent rumors suggest that Smith Rowe may be deemed surplus to requirements, with The Mirror reporting that he could be “sacrificed” as Arsenal seeks to strengthen their options, with Leicester’s James Maddison also on their radar.

The outcome remains uncertain as to whether Smith Rowe can revive his Arsenal career. However, with fierce competition for places in the squad, the young Hale End graduate might consider seeking first-team opportunities elsewhere. It is anticipated that several clubs will express interest in his services given his potential and talent.

As the transfer window approaches, Arsenal fans eagerly await developments regarding potential arrivals and departures, with the hope that the club can strike the right balance between strengthening the squad and retaining promising talents like Emile Smith Rowe.