Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has decided to join Arsenal on a 42 million pounds deal, according to Eurosport. The Algerian star is reportedly on his way out of Leicester City, following the footsteps of ex-teammate N’Golo Kante who left for Chelsea earlier this week.
An exodus was expected after Leicester City won the title considering their financial incapability in comparison to the English clubs causing it. Jamie Vardy was all set to begin it before Euro 2016, but eventually agreed to a new contract with Leicester instead of joining Arsenal, after his release clause was activated.
Nevertheless, N’Golo Kante kick started what had been anticipated to be the inevitable, when he left for Chelsea on a £32m deal. Riyad Mahrez is all set to add fuel to the fire, with reports saying that he has agreed to join Arsenal.
The signing of Mahrez shall be the second big name signing of the window for the Gunners after Swiss international Granit Xhaka. He is not necessarily the answer to Arsenal’s striker worries, but he does offer a whole new dimension to Arsenal’s attack.
In UEFA Euro 2016, Giroud excelled with the presence of a second striker in the form of Antoine Griezmann. If the deal for Mahrez materializes, once can imagine that Alexis Sanchez might as well partner the French center-forward up front with Ozil and the Algerian taking up the creative role.
Having scored 17 goals in the Premier League, Mahrez steered Leicester to title victory last season and also won the PFA Player of the Year award.
Not only that, he also became the first African to win that award and the first Algerian to win a Premier League medal. Needless to say, he was present in the PFA Team of the Year. Undoubtedly, Arsenal would be signing Premier League’s best player at the moment provided the transfer takes place.
However, there has not been any sort of official confirmation about a potential deal, and Mahrez, like Vardy, may be using this Arsenal interest to get a new deal at Leicester. As much as it remains to be a rumor, it will be a fantastic acquisition for Arsenal.
