Barcelona Transfer News: Riyad Mahrez Reportedly Favours Arsenal Switch

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez reportedly favours a summer transfer to Arsenal and could even complete a move later this week after growing tired of holding out for a potential switch to Barcelona.

According to Lluis Miguelsanz of Catalan newspaper Sport, Barca "have other priorities in the market," with Gunners right-back Hector Bellerin and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti more pressing targets for the club.

It's difficult to argue against the belief that Mahrez's chances of first-team football would be better served at the Emirates Stadium, although his reported €40 million (£35 million) fee could still make him an enticing summer option.

Miguelsanz wrote that a move to north London could go through as early as this week, although Bleacher Report's James McNicholas hinted at the contrary, suggesting Arsenal would first need to free up space in their squad:

That could be made possible with the departure of contract rebel Alexis Sanchez, who is in the final year of his deal at Arsenal and linked with a move to Manchester City, who are "increasingly confident" of landing their man, per the Mirror's David McDonnell.

James Benge of the London Evening Standard has also recently suggested Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen on the idea of a move for Mahrez, who was associated with a transfer after winning the Premier League in 2015-16:

The Algeria international—like many in the Leicester squad—had a more subdued 2016-17 season but still managed 10 goals and seven assists for the Foxes during a lacklustre campaign.

It would be an understatement to say Arsenal would be relieved at the thought of no longer counting Barcelona among their potential competitors to sign Mahrez, who has proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with in English football.

Yahoo's Andre Gaffney predicted earlier this month that a return to France could be on the cards for the former Le Havre star, who is likely to attract a lot of interest in the summer transfer market if available:

In the event the north Londoners were to lose Sanchez to another of Europe's powerhouses, the 26-year-old would make for a satisfying replacement.

Mahrez has already called it "an honour" to receive interest from Wenger. Speaking to Algerian broadcaster Elheddaf Television (h/t ESPN), he said:

"It is an honour to receive compliments like this from such a big manager in world football. But there is a big difference between words, speculation and an offer, so there is nothing on the table at the moment. As he [Wenger] went on to say, there is nothing concrete, so I will not dwell on that too much yet.

"The chairman and I agreed that I would stay another year at the club and that he would let me leave at the end of the season. I think it would be the right time for me to leave, I have experienced everything at this football club."

Leicester stood their ground before allowing N'Golo Kante to join Chelsea last summer, and Mahrez could be the next big-name Foxes star out of the door, as his comments suggest he's ready to leave:

"I went from the Championship to the Premier League, I stayed up with the team the next season, we won the Premier League, I won the PFA player of the year award, I played the Champions League, so we did something quite exceptional. We will see what the future holds for me. I sincerely do not know where I will play next season."

A lack of UEFA Champions League football may stunt Arsenal's chances of recruiting Mahrez, but Barca's failure to move quickly enough could work in their favour as the player seeks his exit from Leicester.