[Photos] Arsenal Target Snapped At Chelsea Hotel As Agent Confirms Conte Interest

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, Riyad Mahrez has been photographed at Chelsea’s hotel….

Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez has been photographed at Chelsea’s matchday hotel at the same time as Antonio Conte with his agent believed to have confirmed the Blues interest in signing the attacker, according to an Italian journalist via the Express.

Mahrez’s future has been speculated about in recent weeks with the Algerian international attracting interest following his sensational performances for Leicester City last season where his 17 goals and 11 assists helped the Foxes win the Premier League title.

The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer with Eurosport FR reporting last month that Arsene Wenger had held talks with the players camp following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Lens in late July.

Subsequent reports coming out of Algeria suggested that Mahrez had agreed to join the Gunners following talks with Wenger and a proposed £37m move was understood to be close to completion.

However, Wenger has been forced to turn his attention to signing a new centre-back and striker and it looks like Arsenal’s failure to secure a deal for Mahrez could cost them with Chelsea now reportedly keen on luring the attacker to Stamford Bridge.

Italian journalist Alessandro Schiavone has caused a real stir on Twitter after posting photos from the Chelsea Harbour Hotel – which is the hotel the Chelsea squad stay at before home games – where he was interviewing Blues boss Antonio Conte.

As he left his meeting with Conte, Schiavone claims to have bumped in to Mahrez as he checked in to the same hotel and shared a photo of the two on social media – although he insists he has no idea if the attacker was there to hold talks with the Chelsea boss.

The Italian journalist then posted a photo of Conte speaking to another man who he claims told him that Chelsea wanted to sign Mahrez, and the Express claim that the unnamed man is believed to be the players agent.

Here is what Schiavone tweeted last night via the Express:

“I don’t want to spoil your afternoon but I met him @chelsea official hotel where he checked in. His agent to me: ‘Chelsea want Mahrez’.

“#Mahrez checking in at fc #chelsea official hotel #harbour today NO #arsenal”

“I didn’t say anything and Mahrez didn’t say anything. i only tell ya what his agent said ‘Chelsea want Mahrez’.

“I did NOT see Conte and Mahrez together. I saw Mahrez outside and Conte inside. And Mahrez did NOT speak.

“For the last time. I don’t know why Mahrez was there or if he goes to Chelsea. He didn’t speak. I only took a pic with him and thats it.

“I met this great man. thats why I was there. And Mahrez arrived when I left.”

“THIS MAN who spoke to Conte when I arrived told me that Chelsea want Mahrez outside. And he looked credible.”

So, based on the evidence above, it appears Mahrez and his agent may have been meeting Conte at the Chelsea hotel to discuss a potential move to West London this summer.

Chelsea have already signed N’Golo Kante from Leicester so it would be a sensational double swoop on the champions if they could manage to lure Mahrez to Stamford Bridge too.

However, it’s safe to say this speculation hasn’t gone down well among Arsenal fans who are growing increasingly frustrated at the clubs lack of activity in the transfer market.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

The Gunners are desperately trying to strengthen their defensive and attacking options ahead of the new season but have failed with moves for several top players this summer and seeing Mahrez join their London rivals could be the final straw for some supporters.

Here are the Tweets and photos posted by the Italian journalist:

@MarkEBarden i don't want to spoil your afternoon but i met him @ chelseas official hotel where he checked in pic.twitter.com/KTqXC0khfN

— AlessandroLondon! (@AlessandroLdn) August 8, 2016

#mahrez checking in at fc #chelsea official hotel #harbour today NO #arsenal @MarkEBarden pic.twitter.com/yI5nols4n1

— AlessandroLondon! (@AlessandroLdn) August 8, 2016

For the last time. I dont know why Mahrez was there or if he goes to chelsea.He didnt speak.I only took a pic with him and thats it

— AlessandroLondon! (@AlessandroLdn) August 8, 2016

@chelsea_hq i met this great man. thats why i was there. and mahrez arrived when I left pic.twitter.com/7x7V05hY0Q

— AlessandroLondon! (@AlessandroLdn) August 8, 2016

THIS MAN who spoke to Conte when I arrived told me that Chelsea want Mahrez outside. and he looked credible. pic.twitter.com/T2zkA669Lx

— AlessandroLondon! (@AlessandroLdn) August 8, 2016