As per one of the latest reports by the Daily Star, Arsenal are keen to lure Leicester City’s want-away star, Riyad Mahrez, to their ranks in the summer. However, it will not be an easy task for the north London outfit to acquire his services as apart from them, other Premier League heavyweights such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also understood to be in the race to make him sign on the dotted line.
Mahrez’s move to the Etihad Stadium failed to materialize last month despite a bid of £60million being offered by Pep Guardiola’s camp on the deadline day. The Algerian international played a key role in Leicester City’s title-winning 2015-16 season which took the football fraternity by storm. Besides, the winger has had a smashing season so far, having scored 8 goals and registered 7 assists from 24 appearances in the league and is unarguably one of the hottest properties in the game.
The Foxes have been quite mediocre since their title triumph a couple of seasons ago and Mahrez might fancy moving onto greater things in the coming season. Arsenal’s apparent interest to sign him makes a lot of sense, for he would be a smashing addition for them. Seeing the manner in which Arsenal have fared in the last two transfer windows, one would accept that there is a breeze of change blowing across the Emirates Stadium. They are no longer afraid to spend a substantial amount of cash on players who have the calibre to enhance the quality of their squad.
The Gunners swapped Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan with Manchester United and considering that the Chilean’s contract was due to expire in the summer, Arsenal seemed to have churned out a great deal. Besides, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been roped in from Borussia Dortmund for a transfer fee of £56million despite the availability of Alexandre Lacazette who was signed last summer from Lyon for £52million.
With the Sky Blues running away with the league title, a top-four finish is arguably what Arsene Wenger must be eyeing. Nonetheless, Wenger’s side do need to respond in a more convincing manner next season and mount a substantial challenge for the Premier League title, In order to do so, someone like Mahrez could play a key role in their machinery as the 26-year-old has the skills, pace, exuberance and experience to thrive in a big side like Arsenal which advocates playing an attacking brand of football.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
