Wenger Refuses To Deny Attacker Bid After Watching £37m Star Last Night

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, Arsene Wenger on his interest in Riyad Mahrez….

Arsene Wenger has refused to deny he’s in for Riyad Mahrez amid reports of a £37m bid after watching the Leicester City attacker in action on Sunday night, according to the Mirror.

Mahrez has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks with Eurosport FR reporting last weekend that Wenger was lining-up a move after holding talks with the attackers agent in France after our friendly draw with Lens.

Algerian outlet Le Buteur then published a report last week claiming that Mahrez had decided he wanted to join Arsenal after snubbing Leicester’s attempts to tie him down to a new deal and a £37m move was understood to be close to completion.

Wenger then fuelled the speculation after being spotted in the crowd watching PSG beat Leicester 4-0 in Los Angeles on Sunday evening before Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chivas and the Frenchman was seen leaving his seat shortly after Mahrez was substituted.

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri claims that the attacker has been affected by the doubts surrounding his future and Wenger has now done little to play down the rumours after refusing to deny that he’s made a bid for Mahrez.

When asked if he was scouting Mahrez and whether Arsenal have made an offer for the Algerian, Wenger smiled and told the Mirror:

“Yes of course we watch all the players but we play Leicester in the second game of the championship so it’s a good opportunity for us to see them.”

“I cannot give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ because we do not publicise our transfer interest and the best way to make things happen is to keep it as secret as possible.”

Wenger is not usually so coy when directly asked about a potential target so I think it’s safe to say we have a solid interest in Mahrez but we’ll have to wait and see whether any deal can be agreeing with Leicester.

No doubt they’ll be desperate to keep hold of the PFA Player of the Year as he was outstanding last season with his 17 goals and 10 assists playing a huge role in the Foxes winning a shock Premier League title.

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While an out-and-out striker and a centre-back should be the priority, I’d absolutely love to see us sign Mahrez this summer and if we do I think it could spell the end of Theo Walcott’s time at the Emirates.

The England international endured a torrid campaign last season and I think Wenger could cash-in on the 27-year-old to make room for Mahrez if a deal is agreed for the attacker.