Arsenal are among the clubs believed to be in for Riyad Mahrez this summer, but he’s still at Leicester City and continuing to bang the goals in this pre-season.
The Algeria international is also on Roma’s radar as the Gunners focus their efforts on signing £50million-rated AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar as their priority in attack.
Still, with Monaco insisting yesterday that they would not be selling the 21-year-old, Arsene Wenger could perhaps do with a reminder of Mahrez’s qualities.
The 26-year-old won the PFA Player of the Year prize in 2015/16, and though he wasn’t quite at his best for much of last season, he still contributed a decent return of ten goals and five assists in all competitions.
Mahrez has now shown his class again in Leicester’s pre-season friendly against Luton Town, showing quick feet and great composure to beat a defender and fire home from inside the box.
Still, it is not clear how much longer he will be at the King Power Stadium after he announced his desire to leave the club earlier in the summer.
Mahrez statement, May 2017
‘Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on.
‘I had a good discussion with the Chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.
‘However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience.
‘I’ve always enjoyed a good relationship with the Chairman and everyone at the club, and I hope I have been able to repay the faith shown to me by my performances and commitment on the pitch here.
‘I’ve had the four best seasons of my career at Leicester and have loved every moment. I feel immense pride to have been a part of what we have achieved during my time at the club, culminating in becoming Premier League Champions.
‘The relationship I share with the club and our amazing fans is something I will treasure forever and I truly hope they will understand and respect my decision.’
If Arsenal do not land Lemar, it is thought that Mahrez could be next on Wenger’s list, though Leicester are demanding big money for the former Le Havre man.
Latest reports suggest that the Foxes have turned down a second bid from Roma for their star player, and are holding out for around £50m for him.
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