Chelsea ready to rival Arsenal to £50m star should they lose Hakim Ziyech

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Leicester City star James Maddison, but they could face competition from Chelsea.

The Gunners are looking to sign a new playmaker this summer and Martin Odegaard, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates, looks set to return to Real Madrid.

Arsenal have also missed out on Emiliano Buendia, with the 24-year-old completing a £33m switch to Aston Villa earlier this month.

Now, according to football.london, Maddison has emerged as their top target this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta a big fan of the midfielder.

However, the Blues are also said to be interested in Maddison, viewing him as a potential replacement for Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after just one season, with reports from Italy claiming both Napoli and AC Milan are eyeing a swoop for the 28-year-old.

However, according to Calciomercato, neither club has made a concrete approach, with Napoli's interest dependent on the futures of Lorenzo Insigne and Hirving Lozano.

Inzigne is out of contract with Napoli next summer and it has been claimed that the Serie A side could look to sell him this summer if he does not agree an extension ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Lozano, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid where he could join up with former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

When quizzed on the possibility of Lozano joining up with him once more in Madrid, Ancelotti said: "I have affection for Hirving Lozano because I have taken him to Napoli; and for Chicharito [Hernández] because he scored an important goal.

Should James Maddison leave Leicester this summer? Comment below

"I don’t know if he would fit in at Real Madrid because we have a large squad that we have to analyse."

As a result, football.london claim that it is 'unlikely' that Ziyech will be leaving Chelsea this summer, meaning it is also unlikely that the Blues will make an official approach for Maddison.

Leicester are said to be demanding a fee of over £60m for the 24-year-old, who is under contract at the King Power until 2024.

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