Riyad Mahrez proved to be a revelation in Leicester’s title-winning season in the 2015/16 campaign. Since then the forward has been continuously linked with a move to Arsenal.
According to a report by DonBalon.com, the Algerian 27-year-old is “very clear” that he would like to move to the Arsenal.
It further states that both Real Madrid and the Premier League champions Manchester City are interested in the player. However, the Leicester star wants to feel important at a club, and at both Manchester City and Real Madrid he would be ‘just one more among a large cast of stars’.
Many outlets believe that Mahrez going to Man City is almost a done deal now at a reported £65m so it could be a shock to many fans if Arsenal manage to turn the deal around.
In 2017, Arsenal supposedly made a bid for the player that was turned down by Leicester for financial purposes. Many believe this left Mahrez furious after he had asked to leave the club that summer.
With 12 goals and 11 assists this season he has proven himself yet again to be a clinical and very creative player who was voted the PFA player of the year in the 2015/16 season. Known for his silky dribbling and his natural flair, the player normally plays on the right wing but has moved into midfield at times in his career.
This news comes at a time where Arsenal’s future is unclear, with Wenger’s vacant position and several candidates looking up for the job, it is hard to predict how the Gunners will act when the transfer window opens.
The new manager may have a hard time capturing the services of world-class players such as Riyad Mahrez after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League, finishing 6th this season.
It was a disappointing season for the Arsenal fans who perhaps believed the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could revive the Gunner’s attack. With Aubameyang becoming the fastest Arsenal player in history to score 10 goals, many may ask whether a move for Mahrez would be the best option instead of acquiring a strong defender to solidify the team.
