Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Talks Riyad Mahrez and Arda Turan Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that while his club are yet to make a move for Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, they could still raise interest in the player, who is reportedly wanted alongside Barcelona's Arda Turan.

Wenger took part in an interview with beIN Sports and was asked for his opinion on reported target Mahrez. The Frenchman replied candidly and said Arsenal could be interested, per Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

The Daily Star's Jamie Styles wrote the Gunners were fiercely linked with a move for the winger last summer, during a time in which Leicester were scrambling to keep their biggest stars after running to the Premier League title.

The topic of Mahrez's potential departure from the King Power Stadium has been raised after the Algeria international reportedly informed Leicester of his intention to leave.

According to The Sun's Geoff Sweet, Mahrez has had to ask employers Leicester to reduce their £40 million valuation of his signature, with his eyes on an exit and the absence of any release clause complicating matters.

Mahrez wasn't the only Leicester star who failed to hit expectations following a fairytale 2015-16 season, but the Guardian's Ed Aarons recently questioned whether the former Le Havre star has earned his price tag of late:

Arsenal are also at a disadvantage in their pursuit, considering failure to tie down a top-four finish in the Premier League saw the club miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.

The Gunners are likely to encounter competition from a raft of clubs who will be competing in Europe's premier competition, and Sweet wrote the Foxes technician "craves" Champions League participation.

Elsewhere, Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Jack Otway of the Daily Express) reported Wenger's plan is to pair Mahrez and Turan alongside one another, with the latter looking likely to leave the Camp Nou this summer.

Despite struggling to crack the upper hierarchy in Catalonia, Turan has proved himself to be a useful tool this season, one who was recently praised by Turkish Football's Emre Sarigul:

It's mentioned in Otway's report that Mahrez is a target for Barca, however, meaning if Wenger is to get his hands on Turan, he may be forced to concede he can only recruit one half of the wing pair he desires.

It's unknown as to what plans new Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has for his current squad, although there's a chance fringe figure Turan, 30, could be allowed to move on in favour of new pastures.