Arsenal are eyeing a shocking swoop for Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who could be on Pep Guardiola’s chopping block this summer.
According to an exclusive report from Daily Mail, Riyad Mahrez’s days at Etihad Stadium could be numbered, as Manchester City look to refine their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window. The winger has been identified as one of few players who could be given the axe, joining a list that includes fellow winger Raheem Sterling, as well as Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus.
It has put Arsenal on red alert, with the Premier League giants eyeing a summer swoop for Mahrez. The former Leicester City star has experience of working under Mikel Arteta when the Spaniard used to be the assistant of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Guardiola’s decision to offload Mahrez is a bit surprising though, as unlike the rest of the players mentioned in the list, the winger has fared extremely well, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
In 27 Premier League matches, Mahrez has scored nine goals while registering six assists. He has been involved in a total of six goals in the Champions League, notably starring in the wins over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final. He also netted against PSG in both legs of the semi-final affair.
The 30-year-old’s performances have thwarted Sterling in the starting eleven, although it appears Guardiola is wary of his age, as well as the fact that he could fall behind Ferran Torres, Phil Foden and potentially a new signing like Kingsley Coman, in the pecking order next season.
It could be a massive boost for Arsenal, though, as the Gunners are in desperate need of reinforcements in the attacking department. The club was hugely unsuccessful with the acquisition of Willian last summer, with the winger even emerging as one of the worst signings in the Premier League this term.
Mahrez is a far better option, as the Algerian international is still at the top of his game. He has performed consistently for Manchester City and is quite dangerous in possession – something that should appease Mikel Arteta, whose side has lacked creativity going forward.
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The Manchester City winger, in that regard, could be an excellent option, although it remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal can afford the 30-year-old, who is more than likely to cost in excess of €50 million in the summer.
