Arsenal Transfer News: Riyad Mahrez Rumours Addressed by Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied rumours linking the Gunners with a summer move for Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez. 

Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion on Thursday, Wenger was questioned on the matter, per James Olley of the Evening Standard:

Dan King of the Sun had reported PFA Player of the Year nominee Mahrez, 25, was Wenger's "top summer target," with the winger valued at £25 million.

The winger has been one of the breakout stars in the English top flight this season, netting 16 times and providing 11 assists as the Foxes embarked on an extraordinary run for the Premier League title, per WhoScored.com.

Mahrez is now one of the most coveted stars in the league, with Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe and Dean Jones both of the opinion that he should win Player of the Year:

His quality distribution and eye for goal would make him a perfect fit in the Gunners setup, and if he can reproduce his 2015-16 form on a consistent basis, he'd be an upgrade from Theo Walcott—whom King reported is headed for the exit door at the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal have fallen short in their pursuit of the Premier League title once again this season and are in slight danger of not even finishing in the top four—fifth-placed Manchester United are only four points behind them.

Major additions are an absolute necessity this summer if the Gunners are to finally win a league title again—for the first time since 2004—in 2016-17.

But according to Wenger, Mahrez will not be one of them, despite his stellar campaign and the fact that his Premier League experience could see him slot in at Arsenal with ease.

Gunners fans are likely to demand the addition of top attacking talent in the summer after Walcott and Olivier Giroud's lacklustre performances this season, and given the form of Mahrez, some may be slightly baffled if Wenger does indeed opt against pursuing him.