Arsenal transfer news: Riyad Mahrez 'agrees to join' in €50m deal, according to reports

The Algeria international has apparently been 'seduced' by Arsenal, according to reports in France

Mark Critchley
Saturday 23 July 2016 11:00 BST
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Mahrez poses with the Premier League trophy
Mahrez poses with the Premier League trophy (Getty)

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Riyad Mahrez, the Leicester City winger, has agreed to join Arsenal as part of a €50m (£41.8m) deal, according to unconfirmed reports in France.

The Algeria international, who was voted PFA Player of the Year last season for his performances in Leicester’s remarkable title-winning campaign, has apparently settled on leaving the defending Premier League champions.

According to Eurosport France, Mahrez is ready to swap the King Power Stadium for the Emirates after being “seduced” by Arsenal, who have been consistently linked with the 25-year-old in recent months.

Mahrez's agent, however, has reportedly denied that there is any interest from Arsenal, despite his attendance at the Gunners' 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Lens on Friday night.

Furthermore, the Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri told journalists on Wednesday that Mahrez wished to stay with the club.

“Yes, he wants to stay," Ranieri said, when asked directly whether he has spoken to the player about his future.

If he were to join Arsenal, Mahrez would become the second high-profile player to leave Leicester this summer, following N’Golo Kanté's £32m transfer to Chelsea last week.

Summer 2016 Transfer Window - Done deals and rumours

Mahrez scored 17 goals during the 2015/16 season – more than any individual Arsenal player – and registered 11 assists, the fifth-most in the division.

Mahrez joined Leicester from Le Havre in 2014 for approximately £400,000 and has three years remaining on his current deal.

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