Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has admitted that there was contact with Arsenal over a possible transfer in the summer.
Mahrez scored 17 goals and registered 11 assists last season to win the Premier League’s Player of the Season award and help Leicester to a remarkable title triumph.
His brilliant form attracted interest from Arsenal, but Mahrez says the Foxes’ desire to keep him and an expensive potential fee put paid to any transfer.
“There was contact with Arsenal,” he told Canal Football Club.
“But Leicester wanted to keep me and I was pretty expensive. I did not want to create a conflict when the offer came in.
“Personally, I think it is a good thing I stayed put. It’s now up to me to prove myself again.”
Rather than move to join Arsene Wenger’s side, Mahrez eventually signed a new contract with Leicester, extending his stay until June 2020.
The 25-year-old’s link with the Gunners followed team mate Jamie Vardy also turning down an approach from Arsene Wenger’s side to opt to stay with the Premier League champions.
Arsenal instead signed Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna in a £17 million move to bolster their forward line.
Mahrez has scored three times so far this season, helping Leicester win both of their opening Champions League matches, although Claudio Ranieri’s side have made a mixed start in the league.
The Foxes are currently 12th in the table, having picked up just two wins from their opening seven matches.
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