According to reports from The Express this afternoon, Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez is ‘not interested’ in joining rumoured suitors Arsenal in January.
What’s the word?
Building upon a rumour that emerged earlier this week, The Express have published comments from the agent of Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, whose early form in the Premier League this season has reportedly caught the attention of Arsenal and Barcelona.
They quote representative Kamel Bengougam as saying; “Riyad is very happy at Leicester and he just signed a new contract at the club last month. Riyad is not thinking about the rumours and is focused on his season with Leicester and wants to continue his fine form.”
Of course, there’s a subtle but importance difference between ‘not thinking about the rumours’ and not being interested in changing clubs. Regardless of when the Algerian international penned extended terms at the King Power Stadium, few players in world football have the audacity to turn down European Champions Barcelona. Even an Emirates move would be a major step up for the winger, who was plying his trade with Le Harve just one-and-a-half years ago.
How good is he?
Mahrez has always been highly-rated by the Leicester staff, even when he struggled for game time under Nigel Pearson last season. In the opening weeks of the 2015/16 Premier League season, he’s been the division’s indisputable star, topping not only the goal charts but also the dribble rankings.
Riyad Mahrez’ early season form for Leicester City
Whether he’s truly at Arsenal and Barcelona’s accolade-contending level is by no means unanimous. After all, few outside of English and French football probably knew much about him before this season.
But what stands out most about Mahrez is his dribbling ability and pace. He’s been ghosting past defenders for fun this year and manipulating the ball in some incredibly tiny spaces, which is a hallmark of all the top attackers in world football. His return of four goals and two assists in five appearances this term is equally encouraging, but whether it can be maintained over the course of a campaign is another matter entirely.
Do Arsenal really need him?
Arsenal are almost overflowing with diminutive attackers of the Mahrez mould. But if there’s one intrinsic difference working in his favour, it’s that the 24 year-old is a much more direct player when compared to Arsene Wenger’s current selection. The Gunners have lacked that sense of forward drive at times over the last few seasons, especially when compared to the counter-attacking threat on show at Manchester City and Crystal Palace for example, and Mahrez could be a player who brings a quicker, more incisive dynamic to their attack.
That being said, Alexis Sanchez is a near permanence on the left wing whilst right midfield is shared between Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. None are likely to exit Wenger’s first team thoughts any time soon, whilst winger-forward Danny Welbeck is still recovering from injury and Theo Walcott remains another option for the flanks, so there’s not actually much room for Mahrez within the Emirates squad.
What kind of price?
No price has really been mentioned by any of the tabloids just yet. It’s quite hard to estimate a figure, considering Mahrez was originally purchased for just £400k and he signed a four-year contract only a matter of months ago.
Although Arsenal have plenty of pulling power in the transfer market, Leicester are under no real obligation to sell. Even if the winger pushes for a move in January, they can command virtually any price that pops in their head – knowing Wenger probably won’t pay it and thus, their interest will fizzle out.
Likewise, during the final week of the transfer window, manager Claudio Ranieri insisted the Foxes talisman wasn’t for sale at any price, stating; “Riyad is worth nothing as we don’t sell him so there is no price,” which suggests Leicester will palm off any interest until at least next summer.
How reliable is the story?
Well, news of Arsenal’s apparent interest in Mahrez was first revealed in a Daily Star Exclusive at the end of August, which doesn’t bode huge confidence. But plenty of other newspapers and websites have speculated on it since, so there might be an element of truth to it somewhere along the line. Whether that means Arsenal are considering a January bid or have merely sent their scouts to take a closer look at the Algerian, however, is anyone’s guess.
In regards to The Express article, on the other hand, it’s another case of hyperbolic headlining from the click-bait specialists.
The the quotes are obviously genuine, but Mahrez’ agent has simply played down rumours as all good agents do. But he’s hardly claimed the in-form winger wouldn’t be interested in moving to the Emirates, so it’s not a snub by any stretch of the imagination.
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