Arsenal’s transfer window may not be going entirely to plan, but their hopes of boosting their attacking options have been given a timely fillip.
Leicester playmaker Riyad Mahrez has long been on their radar as Arsene Wenger looks for another player to support Mesut Ozil in midfield.
Mahrez is now understood to want to leave Leicester, which immediately saw him linked with a switch to La Liga champions Barcelona.
However, the Mirror report that Barca have ruled themselves out of the race for the Algerian, which leaves the Gunners a free path.
Mahrez could leave for just £35million, with Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admitting he will not stand in his way if he wants to go.
Arsenal may not be able to compete with Barca when it comes to signing players, but they now have no reason not to be proactive. While neutrals will be disappointed to see Leicester’s supremacy being so quickly dismantled, Wenger cannot afford to dwell on romanticism.
Chelsea are also considering Mahrez, having already signed his former Foxes team-mate N’Golo Kante for £32million.
It could therefore come down to a battle between the two London clubs, but if Arsenal are to be taken seriously as title contenders, they may need to flex their muscles before the season begins.
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