Arsenal have been handed an update on the future of Riyad Mahrez after the Leicester City star admitted he could leave the club amid transfer interest.
After taking his side to the most unexpected of Premier League title hauls, Mahrez is one of the most talked about names in this transfer window, especially for Gunners fans. Despite moving to the King Power Stadium relatively unknown in 2014, the Algerian has lit up the league with 17 goals and 11 assists helping him scoop the PFA Player of the Year award. And now the 25-year-old has a big decision to make after securing Champions League football for the side that signed him for just short of £500,000 from Le Havre. Mahrez himself was questioned at a Nike event in Paris on whether or not he has thought about his future, and it looks as if the right-winger is leaving us all in suspense.
The season went very well. As you know we have won the league which was very important. It’s incredible, it was by far my best season in my career. It is flattering to hear about the links to other clubs, as I said nothing is agreed, nothing is done. For the moment I have not made a decision. We will see, it is possible that I stay, it is possible that I leave. We will see.
Whether or not Mahrez does decide to make the move to the Emirates could have serious repercussions on the future of both Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell. Walcott failed to impress in 2015/16 which led to him missing out on boarding the plan to this summer’s Euro’s, whilst Campbell is already a regular on the bench.
Due to the suspected £15million release clause in Mahrez’s contract it’s not a transfer that would cause problems for the Gunners cheque book, it will all come down to the players decision. Recent reports have stated the midfielder would prefer to wait for Spanish giants Barcelona to come knocking, but the chance to sign for Arsenal could only come once. For that reason, it’s leaving current team-mate Jamie Vardy also with something hanging over his head this summer, with the Gunners already meeting his £20million release clause. It’s quite simple really for Arsenal, they just have to sit back and see whether or not the players want the move, but Vardy joining North London could be a massive moment to sway Mahrez’s decision.
At the beginning of the summer it looked as if Mahrez was the favourite to leave the Leicester alliance and possibly start an exodus, something they can’t control due to big money clubs sniffing around. If Arsenal are do the double in Vardy and Mahrez then a serious challenge for the title would be back on, and it looks as if Arsene Wenger is taking no chances with his squad. Want more Arsenal news like this? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!Â