According to multiple reports, Riyad Mahrez has told Leicester City that he wants to join Arsenal. Arsenal have been interested in signing the Algerian international for a few weeks now but as of yet have not submitted a bid for the player.
Although Mahrez does want to join Arsenal, he does not want to force his way out of the Midland’s club to do so. Leicester are willing to offer Mahrez a new contract – his current deal runs until 2019 – but he is unwilling to accept it.
Furthermore, French journalist, Ilyes Ramdani, confirmed Mahrez’s desire to join Arsenal but also his unwillingness to push his way out.
No one will have missed the fact the player remains silent and has not once said or insinuated he wants to stay at Leicester, but he completely refuses to go head to head with a club he has a lot of respect for (and who obviously want to keep him).
He has therefore told all parties about his wish to play for Arsenal), but he won’t force a move away from Leicester.
It seems clear therefore that Arsenal must submit a substantial fee for the player, a fee which some have quoted at near €50 million.
