Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Leicester superstar Riyad Mahrez and could complete the deal within the next 48 hours.
Algerian newspaper Le Butuer has sensationally claimed that Arsenal are close to signing Riyad Mahrez and could very well complete the deal within the next 48 hours. The report states that the newspaper have been told about the possible transfer by a very reliable British journalist supposedly very close to the Arsenal set-up. The report also claims that the winger has decided to leave Leicester and even though the Foxes’ chairman has sent his delegation to try and convince the Algerian to stay, his decision is unlikely to change.
It is reported that Leicester are trying to get the Algerian to stay by offering him a substantial pay-rise than his current contract that runs till June 2019 but that Mahrez’s decision to leave Leicester and join Arsenal is undeterred. The transfer fee is reportedly likely to be €44m as told to La Butuer by the secret British journalist. The report goes on to add that there is an agreement in place between Mahrez, his representatives and Arsenal. The rumoured agreement has been in place for quite some time now with both parties remaining silent to avoid any turbulence if the transaction was to fall apart.
The report further adds that the only thing left in the transaction is the agreement between the clubs which is expected to be reached within the next 48 hours. If it does turn out to be true, it would make the Arsenal fans ecstatic as they had earlier voiced concerns on Arsenal’s inability to secure top players in the summer transfer window thus far. The transfer saga has dragged on for more than a month now with Arsenal earlier being reportedly close to signing the player for €50m. A claim that was refuted by the Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri, who insisted that the winger was set to stay at Leicester.
The identity of the British journalist has not been revealed and with the twists and turns the reported transfer has seen thus far, Arsenal fans would not celebrate the capture of the Algerian sensation before an official announcement. However, the Algerian newspaper has proven to be, generally, very reliable in terms of breaking stories such as this one and judging by their track record, the Gunners might just be getting the world-class player they have longed for.
