Riyad Mahrez is close to joining Arsenal, according to reports.
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez is Arsenal bound
Having been rejected once by a Leicester City star, it looks increasingly unlikely that Arsenal will be rejected again, this time in their pursuit of Riyad Mahrez, whose agent was spotted at the Gunners’ friendly against Lens on Friday, according to the Sun.
Eurosport France are reporting that Mahrez has now agreed to leave the King Power and Claudio Ranieri in order to join Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
The report comes in direct contrast to what Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports on Wednesday, where he claimed the Algerian had decided to stay.
Vardy has already rejected Arsenal this summer
But now it appears Mahrez has backtracked and now wants out, and Eurosport’s claim about his departure has been backed up by the Sun, who claim the Algerian international’s agent, Kamel Bengougam, was present at Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Lens yesterday.
Bengougam was asked specifically about the rumours linking Mahrez to Arsenal, but he refused to comment on the situation.
Will they be teammates for much longer? Jamie Vardy celebrates with Riyad Mahrez
Should Mahrez leave Leicester, he would become their second star player to leave in search of pastures new, with N’Golo Kante joining Chelsea earlier this month.
Whilst Vardy may have decided to stay at the club ahead of their Champions League campaign, his co-stars are beginning to bail out on mass.
N’Golo Kante has joined Chelsea
Mahrez was awarded PFA Player of the Year after a sensational season last year, scoring 17 goals and making 11 assists.
Should he decide to leave, the Foxes will take some comfort in that they are line to make a large profit, having signed Mahrez from Le Havre for just £400,000 in January 2014.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
