Arsenal have suffered their first major blow in their pursuit of James Maddison since Leicester City have rejected their formal offer, as per Football Insider.
The Gunners had just made a cash-plus-player offer for the 24-year-old but the Foxes do not seem to be interested in the players who have been offered in exchange.
The report claims: “Leicester City have knocked back a new Arsenal players-plus-cash bid for James Maddison, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
“The Gunners have offered the Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as part of a new package as they try to lure the Foxes playmaker this month.
“But a Leicester source has told Football Insider the club have no interest in the players Arsenal have offered in part-exchange.”
Will Arsenal make a better offer to Leicester City?
Leicester City have valued Maddison at around £70 million, so the only way the Gunners will be able to sign him is if Rodgers’ side accepts a cash-plus-player arrangement.
But, having said that, there’s no way the Foxes will be content with players like Nelson and Maitland-Niles.
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Arsenal have already spent £50 million on Ben White and they are also planning to bring in a new striker and backup keeper before the 2021/22 season starts. So, it will be impossible for them to make a cash-only proposition for the Leicester City midfielder.
If the North London side cannot come up with a better offer then the only option left for them will be to back off from this deal and let Leicester City keep James Maddison.
Instead of going after the England international, Arsenal should put their full focus on bringing back Martin Odegaard who does not seem to have a future under Carlo Ancelotti.
