Arsene Wenger reveals why Arsenal were 'never close' to signing Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez
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Arsenal have been relatively quiet on the transfer front this summer, although the business they have done looks shrewd enough.
Sead Kolasinac arrived on a free transfer from Schalke and instantly won plaudits for his debut performance in the Community Shield, while fans angered at manager Arsene Wenger's frugality over the past decade were placated by club record signing Alexandre Lacazette.
Those hoping the club would further splash out in the transfer would have been disappointed - although perhaps not surprised - by Wenger's comments in a Thursday press conference however.
While the Frenchman insisted Arsenal were still “open” for business, he hinted that a flurry of new signings are unlikely.
“At the moment I have 33 players and it's very difficult to manage such a high number on a daily basis," he told reporters.
Furhermore, the 67-year-old expressed his shock at the spending that has gone on elsewhere, with Premier League clubs having recently broken through the £1bn spending barrier this summer.
“Look at what City have done. They have been quite spectacular in the transfer market. Man United as well. And it's not finished,” Wenger added.
“Chelsea have bought [Alvaro] Morata and have not lost [Diego] Costa yet. And they will certainly buy more. In the middle of the transfer market it's difficult to predict. At the moment the most active have been United, City and Liverpool.”
One player Arsenal have been linked with is Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
The Algerian international won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award as Leicester won the title in 2015/16 and looked on the verge of leaving last summer before signing a new four-year deal.
He enjoyed a quieter season last year as Leicester finished in mid-table and - despite his new contract – has once again angled for a move away.
While the likes of Serie A side Roma are believed to have had bids rejected for the player, Wenger insists Arsenal were never interested.
“We were never close [to a deal],” Wenger added.
“I rate him as a player but we have similar types with Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil and now Jack Wilshere back. We have plenty of the same type of player.”
Mahrez will head to the Emirates with his Leicester teammates on Friday night for the Premier League's opening fixture.
It could be the perfect opportunity to change the Arsenal manager's mind.
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