Arsenal prepare January transfer swoop for ideal Alexis Sanchez replacement as PL club ready to reconsider sale

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Wenger’s lining up a January move…

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to make a £30million move to sign Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez in the January transfer window.

The Gunners boss could be forced into action in the transfer market this winter amid doubts over the futures of both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

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The Daily Mail recently reported that Sanchez is set to be a target for Manchester City again in the middle of the season, with he and Ozil nearing the ends of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger also refused to rule out selling the pair when asked about it in his press conference earlier this week, with the Daily Mirror quoting him as saying: ‘Once you are in our kind of situation we have envisaged every kind of solution yes. Yes, it’s possible.’

The Mirror now report that Mahrez is emerging as a £30m target for Arsenal, with the Algerian known to have wanted to leave Leicester during the summer.

Mahrez to finally get his wish?

The Independent reported back in May that Mahrez asked to quit the King Power Stadium, and that he’d also been approached by the north Londoners the previous year.

On that occasion Mahrez decided to stay with the Foxes after their shock Premier League title win, which gained them entry into the Champions League for the 2016/17 season and put them in a stronger negotiating position not to sell.

The Mirror now claim Leicester may have softened their stance on the 26-year-old, with Arsenal joined by rivals Tottenham in lining up a January move.

Manager Craig Shakespeare is said to want to do some spending himself this winter, and could now be tempted to cash in on Mahrez to help bolster his squad in other areas.

Mahrez – worth the gamble?

Despite winning PFA Player of the Year after a series of dazzling displays in the 2015/16 season, it remains to be seen if Mahrez truly has the consistency to make it at a bigger club.

However, if the tricky winger were to rediscover that form that played such a key role in guiding Leicester to the title, there’s no question he could ease the blow of Arsenal losing two big names like Sanchez and Ozil.

More Stories Alexis Sanchez Arsene Wenger Craig Shakespeare Mauricio Pochettino Mesut Ozil Riyad Mahrez