Manchester City ace Riyad Mahrez has admitted he almost joined Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal but Leicester City blocked the move and were unwilling to part way’s with their star. The Algeria international has described his former clubs decision as “frustrating”.
Speaking to France Football, Mahrez said: “After the title, if I’d left for a top team, it wouldn’t have been the same story. For me, it’s clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25. Leicester blocked me. They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving’.
“My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated. It wasn’t easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation.”
TIF Tactics – An opportunity missed
Mahrez joins the long list of top players who ‘almost’ joined Arsenal during Arsene Wenger’s tenure. So what does that tell us about the North-London club? Either the club’s negotiation team were poor or restricted finances prevented Wenger getting these deals over the line and rebuilding another great side.
There’s no doubt Mahrez, who is now valued at £54 million (Transfermarkt), would have added another dimension to what was already an exciting front-line and the statistics back that up. The Algerian has made 174 Premier League appearances, scoring 48 goals and registering 37 assists.
Indeed, given his latest comments, the Arsenal fans will be kicking themselves. A front three of Mahrez, Sanchez and Ozil could have been special and a real treat for the Emirates faithful.