Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard identified as potential James Maddison replacement but Leicester ace is warned against ‘sideways’ Arsenal move

Leicester are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester United's Jesse Lingard should James Maddison sign for Arsenal before the end of the transfer window.

claim that that the two sides are still some way apart in their valuation of Maddison, who has been identified as one of Mikel Arteta’s top transfer targets this summer.

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However, the Foxes ace has been warned against a 'sideways move' to the Emirates by former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan.

"I don't think it's a backwards move, but I don't think it's an upward move either to go to Arsenal," Jordan told talkSPORT.

“Arsenal are a figment of our imagination, they are a rear-view mirror club right now. We don’t know whether [Mikel] Arteta is going to be anything more than a theory because right now he sits into the theory category.

“When I look at Leicester, I say, if I am Maddison I would probably sign for Arsenal for all the reasons like recognisability, size and scale of this historically great football club.

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“But if I want to play for a manager that is proven to be an elite manager, albeit finishing second in the Premier League when he probably should have won it, dominating Scottish football and doing well with Leicester then I would stay at Leicester.

“It’s a difficult one because we constantly compare and contrast for the purpose of a debate, but probably the most neutral statement is that it’s a sideways move.

“I would say James Maddison is better served playing in a better Leicester team than in an aspiring, rebuilding Arsenal side who will not get away from the fact that Stan Kroenke owns them.

“No matter what they do or don’t do, they have got silent Stan, the billionaire who likes mediocrity.

"They're spending a few quid this summer because they need too and all this ESL stuff probably gets into the plate. I still think Leicester are a better side than Arsenal.”

Meanwhile, talkSPORT Breakfast host and Gunners fanatic Laura Woods has admitted she isn't sure that moving to north London would bolster Maddison's international hopes.

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"I'm an Arsenal fan and I feel like I'm allowed to say this, but I don't think that playing for Arsenal would make you more attractive for Gareth Southgate to call you up to the England side," Woods commented.

"James Maddison was already on their radar, it's only injuries the first time which stopped him [being in the squad] and perhaps a few other things this time around.

"I think he's been on the radar for a while, I don't think moving to Arsenal would make it better.

"I like him a lot and obviously I would love that move to happen because I think it would improve Arsenal.

"I'm wondering how much money Arsenal have to build that team around him really."

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