TOTTENHAM ARE CLOSE to the signing of James Maddison with the Leicester midfielder set to undergo a medical today, while Manchester City have ended their interest in Declan Rice after Arsenal made an improved £105 million (€121 million) bid for the West Ham captain.
The PA news agency understands the Gunners made their latest offer for the 24-year-old England international on Tuesday after two previous approaches were rebuffed by the Hammers.
It was also reported City had a bid totalling £90m knocked back and the treble winners have now decided not to match or try to better Arsenal’s proposition.
It is believed the Gunners have offered £100m and a further £5m in potential add-ons. It would make Rice the most expensive British player of all time and eclipses Arsenal’s previous record transfer.
It is understood West Ham are unhappy with the payment structure put forward but, rather than dismiss the offer out of hand, are now looking to negotiate.
City felt the cost of the deal was too high. The club have already brought in one midfield reinforcement this summer in £30m Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and were unwilling to meet the Hammers’ valuation.
City have a track record of pulling out of deals they feel are too expensive and are comfortable walking away again now. In recent years they have been interested in Harry Maguire, Jorginho, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella but have refused to get involved in bidding wars.
In contrast to their pursuit of Rice, Arsenal’s bid to sign Germany forward Kai Havertz has been more straightforward.
With a deal agreed with Chelsea, Havertz underwent a medical over the weekend and is expected to be announced as an Arsenal player within the next 24 hours as footage of his arrival video was leaked on social media.
In addition, a move for Ajax full-back Jurrien Timber is still being worked on as Arsenal aim to improve a squad that finished second last season.
Meanwhile, Spurs entered advanced talks with recently-relegated Leicester earlier this week and have now struck a deal for the England international Maddison, the PA news agency understands.
Maddison will move to Tottenham in a transfer worth £40 million (€46 million) plus add-ons, having already agreed personal terms.
The signing of Maddison will represent a coup for Spurs, who have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old.
Ex-Tottenham boss David Pleat recommended Maddison to chairman Daniel Levy when the playmaker was still a teenager at Coventry, but no move was able to materialise and he instead joined Norwich.
Spurs’ interest and desire to eventually sign Maddison never waivered with his time at Leicester only serving to prove he was one of the most creative players in England.
During five largely successful years with the Foxes, who won the 2021 FA Cup, Maddison made 203 appearances, scored 55 goals and produced 41 assists.
While Maddison was unable to prevent Leicester suffering a shock relegation to the Sky Bet Championship last season, he was still able to hit double figures in terms of goals.
Leicester’s battle for survival saw them turn down advances for Maddison in the January transfer window but they have now agreed for him to depart.
Newcastle had registered an interest in bringing the midfielder to St James’ Park but decided to pursue a move for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, which left the door open for Tottenham to swoop in for their key target.
Maddison’s creativity and versatility will boost a Spurs squad that has lacked a player in his mould since Christian Eriksen left in 2020.
Once his medical is completed, Maddison will become new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou’s third signing following Dejan Kulusevski’s permanent transfer and Tuesday’s arrival of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Bayern Munich’s first bid of around £60 million plus add-ons for Harry Kane, meanwhile, has been deemed too low by Tottenham, the Guardian reported.
Elsewhere today, Liverpool defender Rhys Williams has joined Aberdeen on loan.
Additional reporting by Press Association
