Keane has admitted that Arsenal are a big club but leaving Leicester City to join the Gunners at the moment is not an upgrade.
The North Londoners are said to be mulling over a possibility of bringing the England international to the Emirates Stadium in an attempt to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad for the upcoming season.
Maddison is open to joining Arsenal but Leicester City will only sell one of their prized assets if their asking price is met which the Londoners are reluctant to defray.
Keane was speaking to ITV following Leicester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Saturday and the Irishman was asked about Maddison’s current situation at the King Power Stadium.
“Arsenal are a huge club, but at this moment in time I don’t think it’s a step up for him to leave Leicester, where they are, to go to Arsenal,” said the Irishman on ITV Sport.
Asked if a move to the Emirates is a sideways step, Keane replied: “Probably backwards, at this moment in time.
“Arsenal are a huge club, but where Leicester are at the moment, trying to challenge for Champions League. They’re winning, they won a trophy [FA Cup] last year, Arsenal are short.”
Gunners legend Ian Wright responded: “Arsenal will be up there, the fact Arsenal are a team that are still trying to build and be where they want to be, players like Maddison is the kind of player Arsenal need to bring him back there.”
Emile Heskey, who played for Leicester between 1994 and 2000, then settled the debate by saying: “Who holds all the cards? It’s Leicester. They don’t need to sell, you have to put on the table a good offer.”
