Arsenal’s Proposed £37m Attacker Deal Takes Another Twist

The summer transfer window is in full swing so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal’s move for Riyad Mahrez has taken another twist….

Arsenal’s proposed £37m move for Riyad Mahrez has taken another twist after an apparent source told  Algerian outlet Le Buteur that there is no agreement in place with the Leicester City attacker.

Mahrez has been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer and it looked as though Arsenal had stepped up their interest when Eurosport FR claimed last weekend that Arsene Wenger had held talks with the attackers agent.

Le Buteur then reported on Thursday that an English journalist with close ties to Arsenal had informed them that Mahrez had agreed terms to move to north London and a reported £37m deal was understood to be a matter of days from completion.

The newspaper went on to state that Leicester have been desperately trying to keep hold of the 25-year-old and officials flew-out to hold talks with the attacker on the pre-season tour but were told in no uncertain terms that he had set his mind to join Arsenal.

However, Le Buteur are now claiming that they’ve spoken with a ‘source’ close to Mahrez who has insisted there is no deal in place with Arsenal or any other club.

The apparent insider has also revealed that the Algerian international is negotiating with a number of clubs but has not made any firm decision to leave the King Power this summer.

Le Buteur quote the unnamed source as saying:

“Listen all that has been said and written about an agreement reached between Mahrez and Arsenal is wrong. The player is currently on tour with Leicester in the United States and is fully focused on his work. I can assure you that if an agreement was reached with Arsenal, it’s me who’ll be the first informed. This is not the case.”

“You know, it’s normal that so many rumors currently surrounding the possible transfer of Riyadh. The latter was voted player of the English Championship last season and was one of champions in helping Leicester City win the title. It is true that many big clubs are interested in him. However, for now, nothing is done and what is not so obvious is that he will go this summer. The European press say things that are not true. We will see in the coming days what happens. ”

“It’s not just Arsenal who are interested in Mahrez. Other top clubs in the country (England) are on his trail. There are negotiations currently with them, but there is no agreement. Anyway, there’s no hurry. “

We should always be dubious of claims made by unnamed sources but this report came out shortly before Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri told the Express “Riyad will stay with us. He is very happy here.” amid reports the Foxes have offered the attacker a bumper new contract worth around £100,000-a-week.

Who knows what’s going to happen but the only thing we truly know is that Wenger is in the market for a new forward and I’d be surprised if Mahrez wasn’t on his radar as he was outstanding for Leicester last season.

His 17 goals and 11 assists were key in the Foxes title charge and he rightly won the PFA Player of the Year so I’d love to see the Algerian star come to the Emirates this summer.

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Mahrez might not be the striker we’re all waiting for but he’d be a huge upgrade on our current wide options and I think he’d form a devastating attacking trio alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez if he does come to Arsenal.