Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal could make a move for Riyad Mahrez during the summer, although he insists no approach has yet been made.
Algerian international Mahrez was the star man as Leicester City stunned the football world by winning the Premier League in 2015/16, scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 more for Claudio Ranieri’s side. And although this time round he wasn’t quite so dynamic, with six goals and four assists, he remains one of the most entertaining and productive players in the league.
Unsurprisingly the Fixes were unable to repeat their title success of last year and now face a fight to hold on to their stars, and Mahrez has already decided his future lies elsewhere. There is sure to be no shortage of takers for the 26-year-old forward, and Wenger has wasted no time in revealing his admiration for a player he might soon make an approach to sign.
“We have not made a bid, but personally, I like the player, yes,” he told beIN Sports. “I think he made a huge impact when they won the championship. Like at everybody else at Leicester, this season has been more challenging, but it doesn’t take away from his qualities. Have we made a bid for him? No. Not yet. When I say ‘not yet’ it means it could happen. It might not happen.”
Mahrez joined Leicester from Le Havre in January 2014, when they were still a Championship club. He remains under contract at the King Power Stadium until the summer of 2020, and his club would likely want a fee of at least £35million to consider selling him. As well as Arsenal, a number of clubs have been credited with an interest in the Algerian including Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
