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Attacker demands move amid interest from Arsenal

By mac14 on May 30, 2017

According to Sky Sports News, Riyad Mahrez has asked to leave Leicester City amid reports that Arsenal remain keen on signing the attacker this summer.

Mahrez was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates last summer after scoring 18 goals to help guide the Foxes to a sensational Premier League title.

Despite our attempts to lure him away, Mahrez decided to remain at the King Power and sign a new contract ahead of their maiden campaign in the Champions League.

The Algerian international continued to showcase his talents in Europe but like the majority of his team mates, Mahrez struggled to replicate his form in the league.

The Express cite a report from the Mirror that claims Arsenal have retained their interest in signing the 26-year-old and are eyeing a fresh swoop for the attacker this summer.

It looks like our chances of finally landing him have been handed a major boost after Mahrez released a statement confirming he’s asked to leave Leicester City.

Mahrez is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News:

“Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on,” the 26-year-old said in a statement.

“I had a good discussion with the chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.

“However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience.

“I’ve always enjoyed a good relationship with the chairman and everyone at the club, and I hope I have been able to repay the faith shown to me by my performances and commitment on the pitch during my time here.

“I’ve had the four best seasons of my career at Leicester and have loved every moment. I feel immense pride to have been a part of what we have achieved during my time at the club, culminating in becoming Premier League champions.

“The relationship I share with the club and our amazing fans is something I will treasure forever and I truly hope they will understand and respect my decision.”

So it looks as though Mahrez will be on the move this summer and Arsenal are among the clubs showing a keen interest in signing him.

Despite unrest among the fan-base, it seems Wenger is set to sign a new deal and oversee a summer overhaul with an attacker on the agenda with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Lucas Perez all being tipped to leave.

Obviously Mahrez was outstanding in the 2015/16 season so if we could get him playing like that again then he’d be a fantastic addition to the squad, but his form last season was concerning.

We need players who will fight in every game and Mahrez downed tools in the league last year. Do we really want a player like that in the squad?

Even if we do go for him, there’s no guarantee he’ll join Arsenal as no doubt Mahrez will want Champions League football after getting a taste this season so Wenger may struggle to lure him to north London anyway.