Arsenal ‘offer cash plus players’ for Maddison

stay. It’s a really exciting time at the club.

“There’s lots of gossip and speculation around but I’m loving working with the guys here, they love being here, and we certainly have no need to sell. So I would suspect we’re looking to keep our best players.”

The club have proven themselves to be no pushovers when it comes to player sales, meaning that if any sale is made this summer, it will be on City’s terms.

Arsenal’s attempt to get over the big price in a move is by including players in any potential deal.

Names such as Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been mentioned, with all three made available for transfer by Arsenal this summer.

But, looking at the City squad, it’s hard to see where any of the players mentioned would fit in.

Despite his performances for Newcastle on loan last season, Willock would not get in the City starting line-up ahead of Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi or Boubakary Soumare in the middle of the park.

The same can be said for Maitland-Niles, despite City’s interest in the player back in January, who has made it clear that he sees himself as a midfielder.

The signing of Patson Daka up front means that City now have ample resources alongside Jamie Vardy in the striking department, the position Nketiah plays, meaning that Rodgers will have no need to bring him to the club this summer.

City are on the look-out for both a right winger and centre back in the remaining weeks of the transfer market.

Looking at Arsenal’s squad, two possibilities to cover those positions are Reiss Nelson and Callum Chambers.

The former is said to be available for transfer this summer.

The question remains, taking a look at both Leicester and Arsenal’s squads and positions over the last couple of seasons, would a player who Arsenal are willing to let go this summer help City push again for the Champions League places? Taking a look at both squads, it can be easily argued that City’s is currently the stronger of the two as Rodgers continues to build and strengthen.

It feels strange to write, but a move to Leicester from Arsenal is, at this moment in time, a step up for any player, instead of the other way around.

So, unless the Gunners are willing to include a player who is currently first choice and in a position that Leicester need, then City should not take them up on the offer. Maddison, pictured, has now returned to full fitness after a season disrupted by injury last season.

If the midfielder can recapture the form that he showed in the middle part of the 2020/21 campaign, then he will be a key player in City’s push for the Champions League places again in the upcoming season.

Therefore, the club should hold firm over their asking price for the player, and not be tempted by any attempt Gunners to drive the price down.