On Thursday, Arsenal confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe will wear the iconic No.10 shirt after he signed a new long-term contract and some fans believe they have identified a James Maddison transfer hint.
Maddison joined Leicester City in 2018 and has racked up 118 appearances for them in a short span of three years. He featured 42 times for the Foxes last season, scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists in the process. His impressive performances also earned him a call up to England national team in 2019.
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester are demanding a fee of around the £50million mark for Maddison. He signed a new contract last summer keeping him at the King Power Stadium until 2024 which puts the Foxes in a good bargaining position.
The report adds that the North Londoners are willing to include a player to sweeten the deal for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Reiss Nelson or Ainsley Maitland-Niles are the players reported to be involved in this proposed swap deal.
However, the fact that Smith Rowe has been given the No.10 shirt proves that he is part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans. Maddison also wears the same number under Brendan Rodgers and this has led to plenty of speculations regarding the potential transfer deal.
The fans were quick to spot this clue and they believe that the Englishman is no longer under the Emirates club’s transfer radar. This is how some fans reacted on Twitter:
Honestly don’t see the logic in going for Maddison now with ESR signing long term contract. Not convinced that Maddison offers that many goals or assists over and above what ESR can offer now and in future.
— Richard Allen (@allen_gunners) July 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/afcSiva_7/status/1418501140321165315
It means we are not signing Maddison
— Prab☬ KroenkeOut Fuck the Process (@afc_prab) July 22, 2021
Been given the Number 10 shirt I hope that doesn’t mean they are not signing Maddison.
— Wat Tyler (@WatTyle51920972) July 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/callmeeraky/status/1418211459352301576
If smith-rowe is number 10 I think there is no way we are gonna go for maddison
— John Nevin (@johnnynevs) July 22, 2021
Emile Smith Rowe extended contract & took the number 10…! Does that mean we not signing Maddison anymore???
— Yomí (@abayor_) July 22, 2021
Arsenal Fever View:
It is true that Arsenal will not offer Emile Smith the no.10 jersey if Maddison transfer is close. However, that doesn’t mean the north Londoners will not sign the Leicester player, as it is always possible that the incoming player could take up another number.
There are a couple of reasons suggesting that this deal could materialize this summer. The first reason is Maddison’s comments saying he prefers to operate in the No.8 role. Speaking to Leicester Mercury last year, the midfielder said:
“I played as a number 10 at the start of last season, and then when the gaffer [Rodgers] came in, I transitioned into a number eight, and sometimes I play off the left.”
He added:” I don’t want to be labeled as a number 10. Being a number eight has made me add that defensive side to my game.”
The second reason is, although Smith Rowe has signed a new contract, Arsenal still need another midfielder who can create chances as scoring goals was a major problem for Arteta’s men last season. The 24-year-old is known for his passing ability and is capable of chipping in with some vital goals.
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