Arsenal Transfer News: Riyad Mahrez Considering Exit Amid Jamie Vardy Rumours

Riyad Mahrez is reportedly considering his future at Leicester City due to building speculation that Jamie Vardy could be on his way to Arsenal. 

That’s according to Laurie Whitwell and Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, who have also noted that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in midfielder N’Golo Kante. It’s suggested that while the Foxes have offered Mahrez a new bumper contract, the Algeria international is “leaning towards leaving” the club, with key men potentially on their way out.

However, John Cross and James Nursey of the Daily Mirror reported the Gunners are “braced for disappointment” in their pursuit of Vardy, who has been offered a bumper new deal by the Foxes. “The England striker had promised Arsene Wenger an answer on Monday but did not make contact, leaving the Gunners manager expecting bad news,” it’s noted.

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According to Chris Wheatley of Goal, Arsenal and PSG are two teams that would be keen to land Mahrez this summer. However, Cross has denied that, stating that the Gunners have no interest in the player.

These numbers from Sky Sports Statto sum up what a spectacular season the winger had in 2015-16:

Indeed, while Vardy provided the raw attacking incision and Kante offered drive from the centre of the park, Mahrez added the gloss to Leicester’s attacking play.

The Algeria international roamed off the right flank infield into spaces, squared up to defenders with his dribbling skills and frequently produced decisive moments in the final third.

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He and Vardy were huge attacking weapons as the Foxes went on to clinch the Premier League title; sportingintelligence thinks Arsenal would do wonderfully if they can get both men to the Emirates Stadium:

You can see Mahrez fitting in well with the Gunners. The right flank has been something of a problem position for Wenger, with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not able to nail down their spot, while Aaron Ramsey has been shoehorned in there at times. The Leicester man would potentially be the antidote.

Vardy would also offer the Gunners something different if they can get this one over the line. He wouldn’t seamlessly fit into the setup as someone like Mahrez would, but he’d give Arsenal a different way of playing. His searing pace and clever positioning can turn teams in a flash, an outlet the Londoners lacked for long spells last term.

However, according to Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones, Vardy is worried he could spark an exodus should he opt to leave the champions:

Oliver Kay of the Times considered the striker’s rapid rise and thinks he could choose the best financial package on offer:

For Arsenal, it could be a case of all or nothing. They’ve done all they can to convince Vardy to join, it would seem, having met his release clause, and the chance for the forward to play for a club that holds such clout in the English game must be enticing. 

Mahrez will want to see other players at the football club believing that Leicester’s title triumph wasn’t a one-off.

Indeed, with UEFA Champions League football on the agenda at the King Power Stadium next season, there are exciting times ahead for the Foxes, and manager Claudio Ranieri will be hoping that’s enough for their main men to stick around.