Transfer News: Tottenham launch shock bid to beat Arsenal to Riyad Mahrez

Tottenham have reportedly launched a bid in a shock move to beat Arsenal and land the services of wantaway Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez

According to The Sun, Tottenham are set to break their duck thus far in the current transfer window. Riyad Mahrez is looking to move away from Leicester, with AS Roma and Arsenal the favourites up until the moment. But, Spurs have launched a move to sneak in and land the Algerian from under their rival’s noses.

Riyad Mahrez became a worldwide sensation as part of the Claudio Ranieri-led Leicester City side that scripted history by winning the Premier League in a fairytale run in the 2015-16 campaign. The player was showered with accolades and interest from the pick of clubs in world football.

However, the subsequent season was a rough one, for the player and the club, as Leicester only managed a lower-half finish – not before seeing their title-winning manager depart the club. Riyad’s performances improved towards the last stretch of the season.

And with the improvement in performances, Mahrez has again been linked with a move away from the club. Arsenal have been primed to land the Algerian for a while now. But, AS Roma’s recent overtures saw the Italian outfit come close to getting the wing wizard.

However, Leicester City have stood firm on their £50 million asking price and turned down multiple AS Roma offers in the last few days. And it seems, with AS Roma unwilling to pay the entire price tag, the ball has rolled back into Arsenal’s court.

But, Tottenham have emerged again as a contender for Mahrez and according to the report, Spurs are ready to remove their transfer duck this window with the capture of the Algerian. Pochettino has been looking for an addition on the wing to replace flop Moussa Sissoko.

Arsenal too have been linked with a move for Thomas Lemar. But, Liverpool’s entry into the picture may complicate the potential transfer, which has already been a tough negotiation, with Monaco rejecting three bids for the player.

Mahrez has already declared that he is looking to move on to a bigger club this summer and his public expression of his desire to leave Leicester means that, if Arsenal and/or Tottenham decide to meet the club’s asking price, the player will be leaving the King Power Stadium.

It now depends on the Londoners’ intention to shell out such a magnanimous figure for the wantaway Algerian.