Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez, according to Calciomercato.
The Algeria international was widely expected to leave the King Power Stadium last summer, only to instead pen a new deal for the Foxes.
Mahrez impressed in the Champions League, but his Premier League form left a lot to be desired, while Leicester’s underwhelming title defence means he is looking to leave the club this summer.
Chelsea had been credited with an interest in Mahrez, but it seems Arsenal have won the race to sign 26-year-old, who they were heavily linked with last year.
The Gunners are thought to have turned their attention to the Leicester attacker after it seemed clear that they would miss out on Monaco man Thomas Lemar, who now looks set to stay with the Ligue 1 champions.
That being said, Arsenal remain keen on Lemar and are also close to wrapping up the signing of compatriot Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, with a deal expected to be confirmed later this week.
It remains to be seen how Mahrez’s potential arrival would impact Alexis Sanchez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League counterparts Manchester City.
