Leicester star Riyad Mahrez has given a nod to a summer move to Arsenal, according to unverified media reports in his homeland Algeria.
Foottheball sources confirm that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has also been handed a blank cheque to make two more top flight signings before the summer transfer window closes.
Algerian website Le Buteur claims that PFA Player of the Year Mahrez has agreed to make a summer switch to Arsenal after his agent met Wenger in person to finalise the deal.
However, the Algerian website has shut shop for maintenance since the news came out last night.
On the contrary, more trustworthy sources have rubbished the news to be false and claimed that no such meeting took place between Mahrez’s agent and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
Prior to the Mahrez transfer saga, Wenger had his eyes on another Leicester star Vardy, who snubbed a move to the Emirtaes and signed a new mega contract with the Foxes.
Riyad Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year as he played a pivotal role in Leicester City’s Prmier League Triumph with 17 goals and 11 assists to his name.
Arsenal has been highly linked with a £37million move for the Leicester playmaker Mahrez and sources confirm that Wenger is fond of the Algerian’s technical abilities in the midfield.
On the Contrary, Leicester City are desperate to renew Mahrez’s contract after losing ace midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea this summer.
Mahrez is expected to sign a new contract with the Premier League Champions and the Foxes boss have earlier claimed that the constant transfer speculation is distracting the Algerian winger.
“Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation,” Ranieri said in a press conference.
“But that is also an experience for my players. ‘It is important that he understands that he should stay with us,” he added.
However, Wenger’s presence at Leicester City’s recent International Champions Cup loss against Paris Saint-Germain may point towards a possible summer move.
Fotttheball sources also confirm that the club authorities have decided to give a blank cheque to Wenger, for accelerating his hunt for Shkodran Mustafi and Alexandre Lacazette.
Wenger has already spent £30m to rope in the Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer and it is believed that he still has £70m in his kitty to bring Mustafi and Lacazette to Emirtaes before the transfer window closes.
French club Lyon have admitted receiving Arsenal’s €35million bid for Alexandre Lacazette but only to reject the London club’s offer.
However, Lyon boss Bruno Genesio was recently quoted as saying that a bumper offer could tempt the club into selling their prized possesion.
It is believed that Germany centre-back Mustafi, 24 would cost Arsenal in the region of £35m.
