DAD MADD GLAD TO STAY Arsenal warned off James Maddison transfer as Brendan Rodgers claims Leicester star is too busy changing nappies
BRENDAN RODGERS shot down speculation linking Arsenal with a summer swoop for James Maddison.
Posted Friday, August 06, 2021 by Thesun.co.uk
He slo insisted he doesn't fear the England midfielder spitting his dummy out - Harry Kane style - to force through a move… now Madd has become a dad!
James Maddison and partner Kennedy Alexa are preoccupied with their new baby and the England star is happy at Leicester, says Brendan Rodgers Credit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
Leicester star James Maddison shared his baby joy on Instagram, as son Leo Cruz Maddison was born on July 31 Credit: https://www.instagram.com/madders/?hl=en
Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Maddison and is itching to bring the 24-year-old to the Emirates to add some much needed creativity to his misfiring Gunners' midfield.
But Jack Grealish's £100million move to Manchester City has inflated the market and Rodgers remains relaxed about Arsenal stumping up the £70million it would take to prise Maddison away.
Asked if the attacking midfielder - who has three years remaining on his contract - was staying, Rodgers replied: “I believe so. I certainly haven’t been told anything different.
"He’s just become a father so he is a busy young guy now, changing nappies and everything else.
"For me, James doesn't change, he's a wonderful young guy to work with. It is what it is and he'll understand it's the nature of this time of the season when lots of stories are going around.
"I know he's very happy here and he wants to be here. I haven't spoken to him because I don't need to speak about gossip and speculation.
"If anything ever comes to the club Jon Rudkin would tell me straight away and I would deal with it then, but there's been nothing which has come my way.
"James is a very important member of our squad who was disrupted last season with injury. Hopefully he can push on now and show the top player he is.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers revealed Leicester City's trauma doctor put Wesley Fofana's fractured ankle back in place - BEFORE the stricken French kid was rushed to hospital during Wednesday's friendly with Villarreal.
The 20-year-old suffered a fractured left fibula following a shocking scissors tackle by Fer Nino which will rule him out for months and force Rodgers into the market for a replacement.
He revealed: "He’s a top class player who will be a huge loss but our medical team were fantastic and our trauma doctor put his ankle back in place before he went to the hospital.
"Fortunately, if you can say that, Wes is 20 and at the start of his career. I got a video from his last night and he was smiling and happy, telling me he'll come back stronger.
"He’s a very tough boy, you see that on the field but it was a horrible evening for us all and a horrendous challenge."
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