Big hitter: Gray could be joining Riyad Mahrez at Leicester

Arsenal on red alert as Wenger favourite rejects £100,000-a-week deal to quit his club - report

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Published on:

16 Jul 2016, 2:59 am

By Tom Blackburn

Arsenal are keeping an eye on Riyad Mahrez after he rejected a new contract with Leicester, according to a report.

Mahrez has been a stand out performer for Leicester and his efforts in their title-winning campaign saw him crowned PFA Player of the Year.

The Mirror claim Mahrez has snubbed a new £100,000-per-week deal, with Arsenal and Barcelona on high alert.

It would be a major blow for Leicester to lose Mahrez just 24 hours after it emerged that N’Golo Kante is set to depart Claudio Ranieri's team for Chelsea.

The Alergian international was the stand-out performer for Leicester in their title triumph last season with 17 league goals and 10 assists, while forming a highly productive partnership with Jamie Vardy.

He joined from Le Havre, who play in the French Ligue 2, midway through the 2013-14 season and helped Leicester earn a return to the Premier League.

Arsenal have already missed out on one Leicester star, with Jamie Vardy opting to sign a new contract at Leicester despite already have a medical at the Emirates.

The Evening Standard reported in February that Wenger admitted he turned down the opportunity to sign Mahrez for £400,000 in 2014 and he praised the attacking midfielder.

“He has developed extremely well; today he is one of the dominant players in the Premier League," Wenger said.

In other Arsenal transfer news, a medical has been booked as Arsenal are given an answer in pursuit of another Wenger favourite.

Arsenal

Leicester City

Riyad Mahrez