Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has backed Leicester City midfielder and Arsenal target James Maddison to shine in the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
The 24-year-old has been linked to the Gunners this summer as Mikel Arteta's side look for their Martin Odegaard replacement, after the Norwegian left north London after his loan spell concluded at the end of last season.
Edu has the English midfielder high up on his list of potential targets, but Brendan Rodgers' reluctance to lose his star man his made this deal a difficult one to get off the ground so far..
football.london understands that the Foxes are holding out for a fee in excess of £60million if they are to consider the 24-year-old's sale in this summer's transfer window.
Rodgers has openly admitted in the past that he has no desire to keep anybody in his squad who is not fully committed to the cause.
“If a player doesn’t want to be here, with all due respect, we don’t want them here. It’s as simple as that,” Rodgers last summer.
“If (City sell), there’s always a premium for that player. Leicester have shown that, long before my time here. They’re very good from a business perspective."
“If there’s a player to go, they’ll look to get maximum value for that player.”
There is currently no indication that the ex-Norwich City and Coventry City player is seeking an exit from the east Midlands this summer, with the Foxes showing ambition already to improve on their FA Cup title and fifth placed finish last campaign by signing striker Patson Daka and midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
Nevertheless, despite the impressive signings so far for the FA Cup winners, TV pundit Merson has chosen Arsenal target Maddison as his 'surprise package' for next season after the 24-year-old failed to make England's Euro 2020 squad.
“James Maddison wasn’t called up by Gareth Southgate to represent England at Euro 2020,” Merson told Sports Keeda. “So he will be fresh and raring to go ahead of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
“Before his unfortunate injury last season, he was absolutely flying for Leicester City and I got the feeling that he came back a bit too early. I like Maddison and I think he can make a real impact this season.
“He can really rip it up and will have an advantage over those who had international commitments earlier this summer, as those players may not start the forthcoming season for their respective clubs.”
Leicester City's creative midfielder made a total of 42 appearances for the Foxes last season, contributing a total of 21 goal involvements.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal seriously pursue Maddison this summer, but whatever the outcome the 24-year-old has a very important campaign ahead of him as Leicester aim for a potential top four finish.
