Arsenal has received a huge transfer boost in terms of signing a new player in the winter transfer window after Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez claimed he would prefer a move to Arsenal over Liverpool. Liverpool lost Philippe Coutinho this January transfer to La Liga giants Barcelona for a huge fee of £142m and are now desperate to replace the stellar Brazilian. The former Inter Milan winger was in sublime form for the Reds and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was adamant to sell his most valued asset. With Coutinho pushing for a move to the Camp Nou, there was not much the Merseyside club could do prevent the obvious from occurring. And after just signing a contract extension with Liverpool last year Coutinho left one year into his contract when the Spanish side came calling once again.
And with Coutinho leaving Anfield, Liverpool was looking to sign another play-maker who could make them tick in midfield, that player was Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian winger has been flying for Leicester City this season and is producing incredible performances for the Foxes, despite claims and rumors of moving away from the King Power Stadium.
Mahrez was instrumental for Leicester City when they stunned the footballing world by winning the Premier League two seasons ago, much to the shock of the many fans around the globe. His link-up play with Jamie Vardy in attack played a key role in Leicester’s triumph of the title. With pace and skill on the ball, Mahrez is a big threat to opposition defenders. Primarily a winger, he can also be deployed as a play-maker because he possesses accurate passing and vision that is able to slice open defenses.
However, the former Premier League winner has not been at his very best off late and is seemingly pushing for a move away from Leicester. Last season, Mahrez looked disinterested in playing for the Foxes but has since improved on his game as he looks to impress new clubs and hope that big clubs make a bid for him.
The good news for Arsenal fans is that reports claim Mahrez would prefer a move to the North-London side over Merseyside club Anfield. Therefore Arsene Wenger could have has issues with key players leaving the club solved by securing the signature of the Algerian winger.
With Alexis Sanchez on the verge of joining Manchester United, Wenger will look to bring in a like for like replacement for the Chilean attacker. With the Gunners asking for a higher price from Manchester United, they could bring in Mahrez as well as Henrikh Mkhitaryan to strengthen their midfield and bolster their attack. Mkhitaryan could be a replacement for Germany pass maestro Mesut Ozil, whose contract runs out by the end of the summer.
But Liverpool may still be competing to sign the 26-year-old Mahrez, as they desperately look to bring in their replacement for talisman Coutinho. What do you think? Will Wenger sign Mahrez or will he go to Liverpool? Or will the Foxes keep hold of their talented winger?
