If we are willing to spend that much on a 10 and this doesn't go through, even Odegaard may not be out of the equation then.

Leicester and England midfielder James Maddison has emerged as Arsenal's top transfer target this summer but a bid of £70m for the 24-year-old has been turned down by the Foxes. (Express)

WTF

We should take that 70m to villa. And maybe see if they would be interested in a Willock exchange. Tell them ESR is going nowhere.

I'm curious why Grealish is seemingly rated so much higher on here? Both have similar numbers, Maddison is around a year younger, both very technical. The main difference is the type of players they are.

I'd probably go for Grealish too but maybe with Saka and Pepe already in the team we've less need for someone who runs with the ball and more of a link player like Maddison.

We definitely need a player like Maddison more. I also think there is another level or two in him to unlock. He thrives on freedom though. I hope Arteta is the right manager for him.

Both coming off the back of big injuries which would worry you too at the prices we're talking about.

Grealish is the one. I don't rate Maddison at all , too lightweight and slow.

Doesnt look worth the big fee. Sure we can find someone better for that kind of money

goon wrote:

I'm curious why Grealish is seemingly rated so much higher on here? Both have similar numbers, Maddison is around a year younger, both very technical. The main difference is the type of players they are.

I'd probably go for Grealish too but maybe with Saka and Pepe already in the team we've less need for someone who runs with the ball and more of a link player like Maddison.

Maddison is on a growth path. Leicester are crazy to try to Pépé us. We can’t pay like he’s the finished article. Grealish is more interesting because he has more power. He can just take the ball like a running back and charge through these mutts. Maddison still needs to develop the physique to do that because he doesn’t have the Mahrez or Pépé type skill to bob and weave.

Don't think Maddison is going to bulk up much nor get a ton better than he is now. He is however a better passer than Grealish and if you are looking to get the best out of Auba next season he's more equipped to do that and has a history of finding Vardy who makes similar runs to Auba.

Grealish would be more of a Sanchez type for us in that he does a lot on his own, like Claud says he drives things. MAddison is a bit of an Odegaard+ in that he can control tempo, make the killer passes but he also has more goal threat than the Norweigan. Maddison is a great set piece taker too.

goon wrote:

I'm curious why Grealish is seemingly rated so much higher on here? Both have similar numbers, Maddison is around a year younger, both very technical. The main difference is the type of players they are.

I'd probably go for Grealish too but maybe with Saka and Pepe already in the team we've less need for someone who runs with the ball and more of a link player like Maddison.

I would have taken Maddison over Grealish at the start of this season and probably still would. The more I read about his fitness the more it's starting to worry me though. Also can't help but feel that we shouldn't be signing overpriced players like this, but that's secondary to their quality. And it depends on what we actually end up paying too of course.

I think Maddison is being done a disservice on here. He's basically a Smith-Rowe but 4 years down the line.

Klaus wrote:

goon wrote:

I'm curious why Grealish is seemingly rated so much higher on here? Both have similar numbers, Maddison is around a year younger, both very technical. The main difference is the type of players they are.

I'd probably go for Grealish too but maybe with Saka and Pepe already in the team we've less need for someone who runs with the ball and more of a link player like Maddison.

I would have taken Maddison over Grealish at the start of this season and probably still would. The more I read about his fitness the more it's starting to worry me though. Also can't help but feel that we shouldn't be signing overpriced players like this, but that's secondary to their quality. And it depends on what we actually end up paying too of course.

I'd agree they are both massively over priced but I wont cry if we get one of them either. As long as we don't justify selling off players with potential to be as good or better to do it.

For 70m I'd want someone capable of turning a match by their own skills, not someone who is more a facilitator.
IMO his numbers don't stack up for an elite level CAM, in that he's not hit double figures for either assist or goals since his transfer from Norwich.

Qwiss! wrote:

Klaus wrote:

I would have taken Maddison over Grealish at the start of this season and probably still would. The more I read about his fitness the more it's starting to worry me though. Also can't help but feel that we shouldn't be signing overpriced players like this, but that's secondary to their quality. And it depends on what we actually end up paying too of course.

I'd agree they are both massively over priced but I wont cry if we get one of them either. As long as we don't justify selling off players with potential to be as good or better to do it.

Yeah, that's the thing. White and Maddison would be our best window in absolute yonks but neither play where we need reinforcements the most, and it's a real devil's bargain if we start to sell off players with massive potential who we've put a lot of effort, money and development into already. Today it might be Saliba and Willock. Tomorrow, Martinelli and Smith-Rowe? I fundamentally don't trust managers who operate this way and I think it's the wrong model for Arsenal. Whatever happened to getting back into good scouting and development?

Those would be the actions of people trying to save their own arses with no interest in the medium-long term future of the club.

70 million?

For Maddison??

Iwobi karma is at work here.

Yep, we have yet to replace 2014-2016 Alexis.

Our decline is both due to Xhaka and the fact we've had no decent one-man-show for 5 years.