Tony Cascarino says Arsenal should not consider making a move for Riyad Mahrez.
Tony Cascarino – Republic takes the ball from Jozsef Fitos – Hungary
Tony Cascarino says that Arsenal need a major rebuilding in the summer transfer window. He feels that major signings are needed at the club.
While Arsene Wenger believes that the north Londoners are two signings short of challenging for titles, Cascarino feels far more signings are needed at a club that finished fifth in the Premier League in 2016/17.
He wants Arsenal to deploy the same tactics that Manchester United are following at the moment. With no Champions League football next season, the Gunners will have to offer bigger wages to lure top players.
On that note, Cascarino says that Arsenal should refrain from signing a player like Riyad Mahrez who has told Leicester City that he wants to move on.
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez in action
Mahrez played a key role for Leicester in their title winning season, but has cut a disappointing figure last term. Cascarino says that Mahrez is not “the level of player” Arsenal need at the moment, and that his signing will be a huge gamble.
“Players such as Riyad Mahrez, who has told Leicester that he wants to move on, are not the level of player they need,” writes Cascarino for The Times.
“You don’t want to be signing Mahrez in the hope of reigniting a title challenge. You don’t know if you’re getting the impressive Mahrez of two seasons ago or this season’s version of a player who seemed lost and lacking inspiration.”
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez shoots at goal
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal at all make a move for Mahrez, but there will be a lot of competition for his signature, especially from rival clubs.
According to reports from The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing the winger who would cost around £30 million. Premier League champions, Chelsea, are in the mix as well.
Mahrez has expressed his desire to play for a Champions League club, and therefore the prospect of playing for Arsenal may not appeal to him any way.
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez and Daniel Amartey
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