Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Wissam Ben Yedder and Riyad Mahrez Rumours

Arsenal are on the verge of completing an £8 million move for Toulouse striker Wissam Ben Yedder, as the Ligue 1 hitman is deciding whether to join the Gunners or La Liga outfit Sevilla.

Duncan Wright of the Sun wrote that according to French outlets, manager Arsene Wenger is prepared to recruit the forward after he was linked with a switch to West Ham United. However, the Hammers "baulked" at the deal to bring the prolific player to England, leaving Arsenal and the Sevillistas to battle for the 25-year-old attacker.

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Ben Yedder has been one of Ligue 1's most consistent goalscorers, only bettered by Zlatan Ibrahimovic during his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette. The striker has performed wonders over a four-year period and is now ready for a jump in standard and competition.

Nicknamed "Benyebut," the player scored 17 goals and provided five assists in 35 appearances in Ligue 1 last term, according to WhoScored.com.

West Ham had been considering an approach for the Toulouse man during the close season, but the club were concerned about his small stature if he joins the rigours of life in the Premier League, per Wright.

Here is a video of the former France under-21 star in action:

In other news, Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan has urged fellow Premier League-winning hero Riyad Mahrez to reject the affection of Arsenal and stay with the Foxes for the season ahead.

Morgan told ESPN (h/t James Walters of the Daily Star) that he hopes the mercurial Algeria talent would spurn the advances of any suitor:

"

I'm sure it's expected, we won the league and the bigger teams are going to try and poach our best players.

You know, as a player, you can't really take much notice to that. We just have to do what we do best. Get on the training field, and keep focus on our job.

There is going to be speculation and it's sad to see N'Golo Kante go but we've got new players in now and everyone is settled in well and we're just training hard and looking forward to the season.

"

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Squawka Football’s Nic English said he is concerned that the pursuit of Mahrez may mean Wenger has given up on signing a new striker:

Ben Yedder has excelled in France, but he certainly isn't the attacking talent Arsenal fans desire in north London.

His record in Ligue 1 stands up against all opposition, but he is a diminutive player who will not add weight to Arsenal's No. 9 role.

Mahrez's would be the correct qualities for Wenger, but he does not operate in problematic areas for Arsenal. The Gunners need to find a striker in the mould of Ibrahimovic to add flair and purpose but not strip away the power option from the team's forward positions.

Olivier Giroud has proved he can score goals at the highest level, but he doesn't carry the threat of a genuine world-class talent.