Arsenal transfer news: Riyad Mahrez in '£75m double deal' with Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette and Arda Turan latest
All the latest news and stories from the Emirates on Sunday 24 July
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Your support makes all the difference.Riyad Mahrez is the man on every Arsenal fan’s lips this weekend. Despite claims from France that the winger had agreed to move to the Emirates in a £41m transfer deal, the Leicester player went on to start for the Foxes in their International Champions Cup fixture against Celtic.
The Algerian was in impressive form for the Premier League champions last night, grabbing a sensational second half goal for the Foxes, and Claudio Ranieri made sure to reassure fans in the wake of the match that the player would be remaining at the club.
“It is much better he stay here with me and another year is important for him,” Ranieri said. “He played well and scored a good goal.
“Then he stays with us. Of course.”
Nonetheless, the rumour mill is continuing to link Mahrez with a move away from the King Power Stadium and the Daily Mirror has sensationally claimed that Arsenal are plotting a double swoop for both the Leicester ace and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette.
According to the reports, the Gunners are lining up a combined £75m deal for the duo, with Mahrez costing £35m and Lacazette valued at £40m.
Whether or not Wenger would realistically be prepared to part with such a high sum remains unclear.
Speculation has also been fuelled by reports emerging today that the winger was spotted taking a flight from Glasgow to London on Saturday evening. According to talkSPORT presenter Georgie Bingham, Mahrez was on board her flight to the capital following Leicester’s clash with Celtic, along with fellow Foxes man Kasper Schmeichel.
It has been suggested that the duo were simply on media business with Leicester but that has done little to ease the rumours with Arsenal fans hoping for the best.
Outside of the Riyad Mahrez saga, the Gunners continue to be linked to Barcelona’s Arda Turan. According to The Sun, Alexis Sanchez has reportedly urged the Arsenal boss to seal a deal for the Turkey international.
Speaking after Arsenal’s pre-season match with Lens on Friday, Wenger said: “We are very active. If we find the right candidates then we will spend the big money.” Could Turan be the “right candidate” Wenger means?
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