Transfer Rumour: Manchester City eyeing January move for Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on Riyad Mahrez, who is also being targeted by Arsenal and Chelsea for a January move

According to a report in The Sun, Riyad Mahrez is the subject of interest from Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola keen to bolster the right side of attack. The Leicester City winger is also being tailed by Arsenal and Chelsea, and a three-way January tussle is on the cards.

Mahrez has been a figure of inconsistency ever since the spectacular 2015-16 season, in which he played an instrumental role in Leicester City’s shock Premier League triumph, while also being adjudged as the PFA and the Premier League Player of the Year.

Since then though, he has blown hot and cold, showing glimpses of top form before going several games without making a mark. So far this season, Mahrez has been much improved, although he would arguably like to improve on his record of three goals and five assists in 13 outings in all competitions.

Despite being inconsistent since last season, the player continues to remain a popular figure in the transfer market. In fact, Mahrez was chased by a number of clubs in the summer transfer window, after he had submitted a transfer request to Leicester City, before a move failed to materialise.

Guardiola pushes Man City to burn off Chelsea, Arsenal in Mahrez transfer battle

A new battle for Leicester C… pic.twitter.com/oC11k1hOb3

— Excess Sport (@excesssport) November 21, 2017

With the winter transfer window on the horizon, his future is the subject of intense speculation once again, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City interested in signing him.

Arsenal have been monitoring the player’s situation for a long time, having attempted to sign him in the summer as well. With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil set to depart from the Emirates, either in January or next summer, the Algerian winger is a viable target who could add spark to the Gunners’ attack.

Chelsea, too, were linked with Mahrez in the summer, and were believed to have completed a big-money move before he ultimately stayed put at the King Power Stadium. With little to choose beyond Eden Hazard in attack, and with Willian rumoured to be on the exit trail at Stamford Bridge, the player could be an ideal solution for Antonio Conte.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have joined the London rivals to set up a three-way tussle to secure the winger’s services. The interest from the Citizens comes as a bit of a surprise, with Pep Guardiola having a gamut of top class attacking players at his disposal.

But, the Manchester City boss is keen on adding a natural right winger to add to his squad to bolster his options further, which is why he has set his sights on Mahrez. An interesting transfer battle, thus, seems to be setting up to secure the player’s services.

A mid-season transfer might be a tough ask though, with Leicester starting to find their feet under Claude Puel. Another transfer request by Mahrez might swing things, and it remains to be seen if he ends up moving away from the King Power Stadium in January.