Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Riyad Mahrez 'very interested' in Gunners despite Leicester turning down £35m bid
Arsenal still have a great chance of signing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City, with the Algerian winger reportedly still 'very interested' in joining the Gunners. Leicester City had turned down an multiple bids of £30m and £35m from the Gunners earlier, with manager Claudio Ranieri claiming Mahrez had assured him that he would stay with the Foxes for the upcoming Premier League season.
The long-running transfer saga has had multiple developments in the last few days, as the start of the 2016/17 season edges closer. British reports last night claimed Mahrez was staying, but conflicting reports from France this morning emerged that negotiations are still ongoing, with Mahrez keen on joining Arsenal.
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Mohammed Bouhafzi of RMCSport tweeted confirmation of the news:
As far as Bouhafzi's reliability is concerned, there is little doubt - the journalist was the first to break the news of N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi signing for Chelsea. Leicester have already submitted a bid for Brazilian starlet Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa as a potential replacement for Mahrez, with the Algerian winger earlier having turned down a £80,000 a week contract offer.
Ranieri maintains Riyad Mahrez will stay with Leicester City
While Leicester City have already lost N’Golo Kante to Chelsea, they have thus far managed to retain Jamie Vardy, with Mahrez’ future still in the balance. Foxes manager, Claudio Ranieri, fresh off signing a new long-term contract, however, maintains that Riyad Mahrez will still appear for Leicester City this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ranieri was emphatic about Mahrez staying, insisting “He stays with us. We wanted to keep all our players. Of course, Kante had the clause and Chelsea paid the clause. But Riyad does not have the clause and he will stay with us. Yes, he told me he will stay with us.”
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Similarly, reports in the British press over the last few hours claimed that Leicester are very reluctant to let their Algerian star leave late in the window, but have not ruled out a future bid for the PFA Player of the year. Even if Arsenal do manage to get their man in the January transfer window, it might be too little, too late.