Arsene Wenger has made a couple of smart moves already this transfer window and the squad at the Emirates is already stronger than it was last season. However, Wenger is struggling to keep his talisman Alexis Sanchez at the club this summer and is constantly looking for a player who can replace him in the first team next season.
The likes of Thomas Lemar and Gareth Bale were recently linked with a move to the Emirates to replace the Chilean winger but reports today claim that Arsenal might settle for a domestic option.
According to reports from a number of news outfits, Arsenal is now favourites to land Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez this summer, after Italian side AS Roma decided not to pursue his services anymore this summer. He is expected to cost nothing less than £50m, which can be funded by Sanchez’ sale but is Mahrez a decent acquisition for the Gunners?
Awarded the ‘PFA player of the year’ for the 2015-16 story book season for Leicester City, Mahrez is an exciting winger, with enough tricks in the book to humiliate even the best of the defenders. He had a stellar time in the title winning season for the Foxes and was linked with a move to the Emirates last summer as well but he decided to stick back at the King Power, to try and establish himself in Europe as well.
However, he failed to show the kind of consistency from the past last campaign and slowly faded away, come the end of the season. He picked up just seven assists and ten goals in 48 appearances across all competitions last season, and is now on the brink of an exit.
Capable of playing in a slightly deeper role as well, Mahrez is a right winger, who was at his best in a 4-4-2 system at the King Power. He has insane dribbling skills while his exemplary vision only makes him much more dangerous. He can create chances, finish them off and frustrate opponents, and at 26, will only get better in the next couple of seasons.
He was not at his best for Leicester last season but playing alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette is bound to get his form back. His price tag might be a bit too much for Wenger to meet, having broken his transfer record on the French striker, but if they end up losing Sanchez, Mahrez is a decent replacement. But is the right man for the club?
