---
title: "Exclusive: Steve Howey would be shocked if Arsenal met James Maddison asking price"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-steve-howey-would-be-shocked-if-arsenal-met-james-maddison-asking-price-e231/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2021-08-15T05:40:38Z"
modified: "2021-08-15T05:40:38Z"
---

# Exclusive: Steve Howey would be shocked if Arsenal met James Maddison asking price

**Steve Howey expects Arsenal to baulk at Leicester City’s asking price for James Maddison and switch their attentions to other targets.**

The creative midfielder has been on the Gunners’ [radar](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-transfer-round-up-martin-21151126?_ga=2.181951136.685431119.1627462103-1932746664.1622213360) all summer after seeing Martin Odegaard return to Real Madrid following a promising [loan spell](https://www.arsenal.com/news/martin-odegaard-joins-arsenal-loan).

Maddison has three years remaining on his [£110,000-per-week deal](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/leicester-city/james-maddison-27044/) at Leicester, so the Foxes are in a strong negotiating position and would only entertain selling the 24-year-old for upwards of [£60million](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-make-first-james-maddison-21212370).

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The Gunners tested Leicester’s resolve by [submitting](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-big-update-on-arsenal-bid-to-sign-maddison-as-leicester-respond-to-new-swap-deal-offer/) a players-plus-cash bid which would have seen Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles head to the King Power Stadium, but the offer was turned down.

Arsenal’s interest comes after Maddison scored [11 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/leistungsdaten/spieler/294057/plus/0?saison=2020) and registered 10 assists in 42 appearances last term.

Maddison, who has won [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/nationalmannschaft/spieler/294057/verein_id/3299) international cap for England, is also [closing in](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/294057/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/1003) on 100 Premier League appearances.

But former Leicester defender Howey believes Arsenal will not be willing to part with significant funds after already forking out [£50million](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57898497) for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White.

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Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Howey said: *“I really cannot see Arsenal paying another £60million.*

*“Yes, he’s quality but it’s consistency they need. Consistency is what Arsenal have lacked over the last couple of years.*

*“I like Maddison and think he is a good player but I couldn’t justify paying £60million.”*