Arsenal fans are crying out for a top striker this summer but it seems Arsene Wenger has turned a deaf ear to their plea. Instead, he wants to add another attacking forward to the ranks; an area the Gunners are already overloaded with quality players and further reinforcement is all but a luxury.
According to the latest report from French newspaper L’Equipe, Arsenal have formally lodged a €41m bid for Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez, who has also attracted interests from Premier League giants Chelsea.
Arsenal had already met with Mahrez’s agent last month where they discussed a potential move for the Algerian winger. It now seems the Gunners have stepped up the interest with a formal offer.
Chelsea have had registered an interest in Mahrez as well, per the Independent, and the Blues were plotting to launch a second raid on the King Power Stadium having already brought in N’Golo Kante from Leicester last month.
Mahrez was even spotted visiting a Chelsea hotel with his agent earlier this week, further fuelling speculation on his future.
In all probablity, both Arsenal and Chelsea will miss out on signing Mahrez this summer. The player has accepted that he won’t be allowed to leave after talks being held between his representatives and the Premier League champions’ director of football on Wednesday.
Mahrez has rejected a £80,000 a week contract extension offered by the club last month, per the Guardian, but Leicester have informed the player’s agent that the club won’t entertain any bids for the Algerian at this stage of the transfer window as they’ll have a little time to find a suitable replacement.
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