According to a reporter with L’Équipe, one of France’s most reputable sources, Arsene Wenger and co. have tabled a bid for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez.
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It was reported on Tuesday that Mahrez-who played a huge role as Leicester won the Premier League title last term-has told “all parties” that he wants to play for Arsenal, but he won’t “force a move away”, per Ilyes Ramdani of Eurosport.fr (translated by Tom Coast of Sport Witness).
The Algerian has been heavily linked with a move away from Leicester in recent months.
That was then followed up with the news that a £35m bid had been made. Yet reports in France suggest that Arsenal have resumed their interest in the Algeria worldwide with an official offer less than a week before the start of the season.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists Riyad Mahrez is staying at the King Power Stadium.
Thus Arsenal’s expected fresh offer will have to be a huge increase on their initial bid and, given the club’s history, it does not seem likely they will go high enough.
L’Equipe journalist Gilles Favard reported on Wednesday that the Gunners – after weeks of speculation surrounding their interest in the 25-year-old – finally entered a firm offer of £30m this week but were firmly rebuffed by the reigning English champions.
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Speaking about the prospect of losing his creative star recently, Foxes boss Ranieri said: “I speak often with him and say stay with us, it’s much better for your future, I think he is an intelligent man and he will stay”. “We want to keep all our players”. Of course N’Golo Kante had a clause and Chelsea paid that clause.
