Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Riyad Mahrez and Gonzalo Higuain Rumours

Reported Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez is said to be keen on leaving Leicester City this summer and will reject the offer of a new contract from the club.

According to Ed Aarons of the Guardian, despite propelling the Foxes to a surprise Premier League title challenge in 2015-16, the Algerian trickster "wants to pursue a new challenge away from the Premier League champions."

The report stated the winger has three years left to run on a £35,000-a-week contract and has been offered a new deal worth £80,000 a week by Leicester. Nevertheless, Aarons noted Mahrez has "instructed his representatives to find him a new club this summer." Per Duncan Wright of the Sun, the Gunners, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked.

While Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante added the thrust to Leicester’s play last season, Mahrez was the man who brought guile and diversity to the team’s attacking. As these numbers from Sky Sports Statto show, in terms of creating and scoring, he was outstanding:

Typically stationed on the right flank, Mahrez was a joy to watch, clinching the PFA Player of the Year award for his efforts. The Algerian danced in off the touchline to cause huge problems infield, with his balance, flair and wonderful left foot leaving defenders at a loss to cope with him.

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For Arsenal, a player like the 25-year-old on the right flank, where they haven’t found a regular presence to complement the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, would be a significant boost to their attacking options.

At Leicester, there will be growing concerns they could lose their star men from their glorious campaign.

As Bleacher Report UK noted here, there is major speculation about Kante making a switch to Chelsea this summer:

It leaves the club in a difficult position, as they could easily hold firm and ensure their star man is part of their 2016-17 season, which will include a foray into the UEFA Champions League. Should they opt to sell, Arsenal should ensure they’re at the front of the queue.

Arsenal Move Preferred for Gonzalo Higuain

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According to Ciro Venerato from Radio Crc (h/t Tutto Napoli, via Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness), Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain would be keen to move to Arsenal, and his club would prefer to move him abroad instead of to divisional rivals Juventus.

The report stated that Napoli will not sell the 28-year-old to Juventus unless the Italian champions meet his release clause of €94 million (£78.6 million). Additionally, Higuain reportedly "likes [Arsenal] and would accept the move, also liking the Premier League generally."

The Argentina striker would provide a solution to the club’s long-standing issues at the point of the attack. Here is a recap of his record-breaking campaign in 2015-16:

Indeed, Higuain netted a staggering 36 goals in 35 league matches last term, with Napoli mounting a title challenge and ultimately qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The forward’s goals were key, and as we can see here—courtesy of WhoScored.com—Higuain has long been one of the most prolific players in European football:

According to the piece, Napoli are resigned to their No. 9 moving on this summer. With that in mind, the Serie A club would surely rather see him move abroad than strengthen a direct rival and see Higuain haunt them in Juventus colours throughout the year.

If Arsenal can capitalise on this situation, it woud be a huge boost. Higuain may have a reputation for performing poorly in important games and will turn 29 this year, but he’s a proven goalscorer coming off an incredible campaign. He’d convert the Gunners into a team capable of challenging for the biggest honours domestically and on the Continent, too.