da supremo： According to The Sun, Leicester City are preparing a bid for Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, which would open the door for Riyad Mahrez to join Arsenal in this summer’s transfer window.
What’s the story?
da wazamba： Late last month, Mahrez revealed that he wanted to leave Leicester this summer, just 12 months after helping the Foxes win the Premier League title.
It has been claimed that Craig Shakespeare’s side are desperate to keep hold of the Algerian, but would consider offers in the region of £50m for a player that is actively seeking a departure.
According to The Sun, Leicester’s stance has softened after making an enquiry for Swansea midfielder Sigurdsson, who could move to the King Power Stadium in a £30m deal this summer.
Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in the Iceland international, who scored nine times and provided 13 assists in 38 Premier League appearances last season, but Leicester are prepared to outbid the duo.
In terms of Mahrez, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco are said to be in the hunt, although Arsenal are confident of enticing the 26-year-old to London.
What would Mahrez offer Arsenal?
Mahrez enjoyed a wonderful 2015-16 campaign at the King Power Stadium, netting 17 Premier League goals as Leicester created history by winning the top prize in English league football.
It would be fair to say that the Algerian struggled to produce his best form last season, but he still managed 10 goals in all competitions, which included four efforts in the Champions League.
Arsenal have been criticised for signing slight attackers in recent seasons, but Mahrez is different to the options currently available for head coach Arsene Wenger.
The 26-year-old offers more of a goal threat than the likes of Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck, whilst his unpredictability would boost a squad that will have to juggle Europa League football next term.
What’s more, Mahrez, unlike a large number of the Arsenal squad, knows what it takes to win the Premier League, and he would arrive a more experienced player after tasting Champions League football last term.