Mahrez Agrees To Join Arsenal Ahead Of Chelsea As Gunners Close-In On £42m Deal

The summer transfer window is now open for business so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Riyad Mahrez is close to joining Arsenal….

Leicester City attacker Rihad Mahrez has snubbed interest from the likes of Chelsea and has decided to join Arsenal with the Gunners closing-in on a potential £42m deal, according to Eurosport FR.

Mahrez has become one of the most sought-after players of the summer transfer window after scoring 17 goals and setting up 10 assists to help the Foxes march towards a shock Premier League title win last season.

Claudio Ranieri has been desperately trying to keep hold of the PFA Player of the Year and appeared to have been successful after declaring last week that Mahrez had decided to remain at the King Power for at least another year.

However, Eurosport FR claim that this was nothing more than a pressure tactic to try and persuade the 25-year-old to stay and the Italian coaches attempts have failed as Mahrez has now decided to leave with Arsenal his chosen destination.

The news outlet states that the Algerian international has snubbed interest from the likes of Chelsea and has accepted an offer from Arsenal following further talks between Arsene Wenger and his agent Kamel Bengougam after their friendly game with Lens on Friday night.

Eurosport FR claim that Arsenal will now table a formal £42m (€50m) offer to Leicester and the move is set to be wrapped-up quickly as the Foxes aren’t expected to stand in Mahrez’s way now that he’s decided to leave.

Ranieri has already signed Nigerian international Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow as a replacement and it looks like Mahrez is now set to begin a new chapter in his career in North London.

Wenger is in the market for attacking reinforcements and Mahrez could be viewed as a potential replacement for Theo Walcott with the England international’s future at Arsenal in doubt after a disappointing campaign last season.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but Mahrez would be a sensational signing for the Gunners if they could get this proposed deal over the line and he’d form a devastating attack alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.