Roy Keane aims dig at Arsenal when asked about potential James Maddison transfer

Roy Keane has questioned whether James Maddison would be making a step up if he was to move from Leicester City to Arsenal this summer.

Maddison is one of a number of attacking midfield targets for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta rebuilds his squad, but would cost £60million to prise away from Leicester during this window.

The 24-year-old is a key member of Brendan Rodgers' squad and started Saturday's Community Shield victory over Manchester City as the Foxes followed up their FA Cup victory in the season curtain raiser.

However, Roy Keane was doubtful about him moving on from the club this season prior to the match.

Speaking on ITV, Keane said "Arsenal are a huge club. At this moment in time I don't believe to leave Leicester where they are is a step up to go to Arsenal."

Leicester have achieved back to back fifth placed finishes in the Premier League and won their first FA Cup in May , whilst Arsenal failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 29 years.

"Probably backwards [step] at this moment in time, Arsenal is a huge club, Leicester where they are challenging for the Champions League, they won a trophy last year. Arsenal are short yet," continued Keane.

"Maybe he might fancy a bit of a change, maybe just fancy a bit of London? I don't know."

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Maddison has been at Leicester since 2018, after signing from Norwich City for £22.5million and made 42 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in the process.

Arsenal's last pursuit of a Leicester player was unsuccessful after they attempted to sign Jamie Vardy following the Foxes' fairytale league title winning season in 2016.

"It's a difficult one, Vardy had an opportunity to go to Arsenal he turned it down. He got big money, turned it down, he got big money at Leicester let's not kid ourselves.

"But Leicester, the group of players they have. They've got a new training ground. If he's leaving Leicester, I don't think Arsenal is the right option, if I was him I'd just sit tight," continued Keane.

Maddison is understood to be keen on the move and would become Arsenal's fourth signing of the summer after the purchases of Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White.

He started as Leicester kicked off their season with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Wembley in the Community Shield, Kelechi Iheanacho's last minute penalty the difference between the two sides.

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