Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has reportedly chosen to join Arsenal this summer and will wrap up a move to north London imminently.
The 25-year-old played a key role in Leicester’s run to the Premier League title last season, also picking up the PFA player of the year award such was his influence.
However, it doesn’t appear as though his future lies at the King Power Stadium for much longer, with Eurosport France reporting that the Algerian international has chosen to join the Gunners.
Having already lost N’Golo Kante to Chelsea this summer, it’s another setback for the Foxes as they continue to lose key pieces to their squad that were so important to them last season.
Despite claims from Claudio Ranieri this week that their transfer market was over and that “Mahrez wants to stay”, as noted in the report, these conflicting reports suggest that the transfer news is far from over for the Premier League champions.
It is claimed by Eurosport that the Gunners have made an offer to the player directly and he has accepted it, while they will now continue negotiations over a deal that could be worth around €50m.
Further, it’s added that Leicester won’t block the transfer as Ranieri has insisted throughout the summer that he will not keep players at the club who don’t want to be there.
Nevertheless, it will certainly be a blow to Leicester, although they have seemingly planned ahead with the signing of Ahmed Musa earlier this month.
As for Arsenal, it remains to be seen how much truth is in the report as ultimately it would add further competition in an area of the pitch where Arsene Wenger arguably doesn’t need it.
With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott already deployed in the attacking positions behind a main striker, it remains to be seen what it means in terms of a possible reshuffle at the Emirates.
On the face of it though, it’s an exciting acquisition as supporters now await further news from either club to determine whether or not a move will actually go ahead this summer.