Six Premier League clubs are in a battle for Norwich City attacking midfielder James Maddison’s signature this summer, according to reports.
Wednesday’s Daily Telegraph claims Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City, Southampton and Brighton are all in a ‘tug of war’ for the 21-year-old, who would cost around £25m.
Maddison is having a fantastic season with Norwich, scoring 15 goals and assisting 11 in 46 appearances from midfield. In the league, he has actually scored or assisted 48% of his side’s goals this season.
Nonetheless, they sit 13th in the table, with a negative goal difference and no hope of promotion. You could understand if the young Englishman wanted a transfer to a Premier League club. It doesn’t look like Norwich will become one anytime soon.
With Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla potentially leaving the club this summer, Arsenal might end up in the market for a creative midfielder, even if that wasn’t originally the plan. Otherwise it’s down to Aaron Ramsey to score and assist pretty much all the goals from the middle.
Buying a young player from the Championship might be a gamble, but the gap between the league and the country’s top division is certainly smaller than it used to be. Clearly five other clubs think he’s worth the risk.
We’ll see how things progress as we get closer to the summer.