Arsenal offered chance to sign Mahrez ahead of Monaco

Arsenal offered chance to sign Mahrez ahead of Monaco

Arsenal are reportedly ahead of Monaco in the running to sign Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez as the Ligue 1 champions cannot afford his wage demands.

The Algeria international was a target for the Gunners last summer before signing a new deal at the King Power Stadium, but again looks like being at the centre of a transfer tussle this summer.

Previous reports claimed Arsenal could be joined by Chelsea and Tottenham in pursuing Mahrez this summer, and a member of his entourage has confirmed Monaco could struggle to sign him.

Leicester would supposedly ask for £35million for the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year, who scored 10 goals in all competitions this season as his side slumped to 12th in the table just a year after their surprise Premier League title win.

Having stayed with the Foxes as they entered the Champions League in 2016/17, it now seems logical that Mahrez will look to leave for a bigger club, and Arsenal may now be in a good position after this boost.

Reports on Tuesday suggest he has gone as far as telling Leicester he wants to leave.

‘If Monaco cannot pay and Riyad signs a new contract, it will not be below a minimum salary of €6m (£5.2million),’ a member of his entourage told Goal.

Although Arsenal are themselves out of the Champions League now, that is not thought to be a potential stumbling block due to Chelsea cooling their interest and Manchester City already moving for another attacking midfield option in Bernardo Silva.

The 26-year-old seems ideal for the way Arsenal play, and could fill an important role in Arsene Wenger’s side amid doubts over Alexis Sanchez’s future at the Emirates Stadium.

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