Rodgers gives update on Maddison amid Arsenal links
Arsenal will need to fork out around £100million if they are to land Leicester City’s James Maddison this summer. Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with the playmaker as they seek to solve their creativity issues.
Maddison would go straight into the Arsenal line-up if he were to make the move to north London and would be tasked with role of becoming chief creator for forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The England international has racked up 21 Premier League goals and 17 assists during his three years at the King Power Stadium.
And Arsenal are in desperate need of a player of Maddison’s talent after posting their lowest number of top flight goals since before Arsene Wenger’s era.
With Leicester slapping such a big price tag on their star midfielder, Arsenal may have to sell players to raise the money.
So who could they look to cash in on?
Express Sport takes a look at who Arsenal could cash in on this summer to raise £100m, according to their Transfermarkt market value.
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West Ham are reportedly interested, while the 30-year-old has also been linked with a move back to France.
Arteta will be pleased to get £25m for a player they bought for nearly double that three years ago.
Hector Bellerin - £22.5m
Hector Bellerin is apparently wanted by Inter Milan, who stormed to the Serie A title last time out.
Bellerin was being touted for £35m last summer, but that figure is more likely to be in the region of £20m now.
The right-back has been in and out of the side over the last few years and is thought to be keen on a move to Italy.
Granit Xhaka - £19.8m
Granit Xhaka was apparently on his way to Roma earlier this summer but that deal collapsed before it emerged that Arsenal would look to offer him a new four-year deal.
It may look like he’s staying put at the moment but if an offer came in for the Switzerland international from elsewhere, the Emirates Stadium club may look to broker a deal.
Arsenal could make James Maddison their record signing this summer (Image: EXPRESS )
Mohamed Elneny - £9m
Mohamed Elneny has been another bit-part player for Arsenal and was shipped out on loan to Besiktas during the 2019/20 season.
The Egyptian did make 23 Premier league appearances last time out but he’s not a player the club will be fighting tooth and nail to keep.
Those five departures should just about provide Arsenal with the funds they need to give Leicester their asking price for Maddison.
But Arsenal should consider whether losing five players with an abundance of Premier League experience is worth it in exchange for someone who has played just once for England at the age of 24.
Maddison’s fee may prove too much for Arsenal chiefs and they may in fact end up turning their attentions elsewhere.