ARSENAL are preparing to try again with a bid to land Riyad Mahrez in the January transfer window, according to reports in Algeria.
The Gunners have been keen admirers of Mahrez ever since his starring role for Leicester when they lifted the Premier League title in 2016.
Their interest was reignited in the summer and looked to be on his way out of the club at the end of the transfer window after it was revealed he had left the Algeria national squad to force through a move on deadline day.
As time ticked by, the news filtered through to social media with football fans mocking Mahrez, sparking memories of Peter Odemwingie’s infamous transfer debacle in 2013.
Former Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare revealed Mahrez was on the receiving end of plenty of jokes from his team-mates after the saga.
But the 26-year-old has since looked back to his best form at the King Power Stadium, sparking speculation Arsenal could return with a bid in the New Year.
That’s according to reports from Le Buteur, who claim Arsenal will offer more than their bid in the summer, rumoured to be in the region of £26million.
Leicester were unwilling to budge on their valuation of £44m but it is unclear whether they have dropped their asking price.
It is suggested that any move for Mahrez could drag on for the entire transfer window with any agreement not expected to happen until the ender of the month.
Mahrez has been key to Leicester’s upturn in form under Claude Puel, scoring four goals in their last seven Premier League games.
Leicester will be hoping Mahrez will be once again fully focussed when they travel to Liverpool on Saturday.
Source:www.express.co.uk