Arsenal transfer news: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirms he was interested in signing Leicester star Riyad Mahrez
Foxes' star has already rejected move to Roma in hope of joining the Gunners and now his options are looking thin
ARSENE WENGER has all but ruled out a move for Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez.
The Arsenal manager obviously was interested at some stage but, after considering his options, confirmed that he is well stocked in midfield.
“I rate Mahrez as a player but we have similar types with Alex Iwobi, Jack Wilshere back, Mesut Ozil … we have plenty of the same type of players.”
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Some fans may feel that the Gunners could do with the addition of the 2015-16 PFA Players' Player of the Year.
Mahrez, after all, has stood out as one of the Foxes' main stars in recent years.
Others might point to the first half of last season when the Algerian barely functioned in the Premier League.
It was only when Leicester began their terrific run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League that he really began to display his best form.
Mahrez, 26, it is believed, had turned down Roma in the hope of joining Arsenal.
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Roma have said they will not increase their offer for Mahrez.
The Serie A giants were prepared to pay a club record £31.8million but now say they won't pay a penny more if a deal is resurrected.
Mahrez handed in a transfer request earlier this summer and is determined to leave the King Power Stadium.
But where does he go now?
As for Roma, director of football Monchi revealed: "I said we had bid what we believe to be a fair offer, which is also the biggest in the club's history.
"We won't bid again.
"We've conducted ourselves in the right way by talking to Leicester City. Now the ball is in their court.
"We're waiting for an answer. We're working on other options but we're relaxed given our squad is 90 per cent complete."
Said Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare: "He's been very focused and driven. He hasn't given me one problem where I've had to take him to one side and say, 'Oi, pull your finger out'.
"The commitment and energy levels in terms of training, and the respect that you should give your team-mates, has all been there.
"He's had a professional attitude.
"And as long as I get that he'll be considered for selection and I have no qualms about picking him against Arsenal.
"If he doesn't, though, then he won't train with the group."
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