Gear up for an exciting week Arsenal fans, because it looks as if Arsene Wenger has landed the PFA Player of the Year for a club record fee.
Yes, Riyad Mahrez has reportedly agreed terms to join the Gunners this summer despite Claudio Ranieri stating he was happy to stay put at The Foxes.
The 25-year-old landed a handful of awards last season as he helped fire Leicester City to an extraordinary title victory, but now it seems the interest from Arsenal was too good to turn down.
We first caught wind of this deal after Eurosport announced it early this morning, and as details begin to catch up with us it seems the move is definitely on.
Mahrez’s agent, Kamel Bengougam, was in attendance at Lens last night as Arsenal picked up a 1-1 draw in what was their first pre-season outing, news that has given this rumour some back bone.
It’s believed that Bengougam met with Wenger after the game as the boss stated he was prepared to pay big money should the right player become available.
Mahrez’s agent, Kamel Bengougam, was in attendance at Arsenal’s pre-season friendly vs. Lens last night. #afcpic.twitter.com/X6tzdW05A0
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 23, 2016
And although it’s only personal terms with the Algerian international that’s been agreed, Leicester are powerless to letting their star man head out of the exit door this month.
The focus instead for them is getting as much money out of the deal as possible, with Arsenal prepared to pay £42m plus add-ons, making him more expensive than Mesut Ozil.
Mahrez will join N’golo Kante in leaving Ranieri’s men in the space of a month, a massive blow to the Premier League champions who managed to hold on to Jamie Vardy earlier this summer despite Arsenal activating his £20m release clause.
Ranieri was quick to put any rumours to bed just a week ago when he stated Mahrez was happy at the club, but that now looks to be a blatant technique to calm the transfer storm 2016 is bringing us.
Not only does the addition of Mahrez become a tantalising prospect for our attacking options, it now poses questions over the future of many players in the first team.
Joel Campbell looks to set to get the boot after he failed to hold down a regular position in the side yet again this season, a real shame for me because the boy has talent and age on his side.
Also facing the possibility of another loan spell is Serge Gnabry, who has it all to do this pre-season to show Wenger he’s capable of getting higher up the pecking order.
Walcott and The Ox are both safe though, but you have to ask yourself if they weren’t a part of this ‘British core’ would they still get a look-in for the starting XI?
We will bring you all of the latest regarding the move for Mahrez, so make sure you’re following us on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates!