Arsene Wenger has added Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez to his wishlist ahead of a summer clear-out at the Emirates Stadium.
The attacking winger becomes the second Leicester player to be linked with Arsenal recently, after it was revealed that Wenger is also interested in bringing N’Golo Kante to the club as he prepares to mount a serious title challenge in the last 12 months of his contract with the FA Cup holder.
Mahrez was recently named the PFA Player of the Year and has scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists this season. The Sun reported that Arsenal will have to cough out £25 million to land their target.
The 25-year-old moved to Leicester from French Ligue 2 side La Havre II in January 2014 and signed a new four-year contract in August 2015. The Algeria international caught the attention of Wenger with his outstanding performance which helped the Foxes to the top of the Premier League table and may replace Manchester City-bound Theo Walcott at Arsenal.
Walcott has not been impressive on the pitch since returning from injury last December and reports claimed Wenger will allow the England international to leave. And most fans are of the opinion that he needs to try his luck at some other club. For a player who earns about £140,000 a week, he really should be banging those goals in.
In coming Man City boss Pep Guardiola has shown interest in the 27-year-old and a move to the Etihad Stadium could be on the cards. Walcott joined the Gunners from Southampton aged 16 and despite a dip in form, Guardiola, been an admirer of the pacy winger has instructed Man City to monitor his situation at the London club.
He signed a new contract tying him to the club till 2019 last summer. But limited appearances this season which has subsequently made a place in the England squad for EURO 2016 a difficult task could make him end his over ten years relationship with the club.
The Manchester club want to add to their number of English players to meet up with UEFA regulations on home grown players.
