Arsenal dealt blow in chase for Leicester’s Mahrez

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has a big summer ahead as he looks to overhaul his playing staff after arguably the worst season in his two-decade tenure in north London.

The Gunners boss, who put pen-to-paper on a controversial two-year extension off the back of his record-breaking FA Cup win, has been linked with a number of top targets this summer, including a former Premier League champions.

Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez has declared his intentions to leave the club this summer, looking to continue his time in the Champions League.

With that in line, both Arsenal and their FA Cup final opponents, Chelsea, have been linked with a move for the Algerian international, with the Gunners supposedly having lodged an offer.

However, according to reports from the Leicester Mercury, the 26-year-old – who is rated at £50m by the Foxes – has not ruled out staying at the King Power next season, after all.

“If I have to stay then I’ll stay,” admitted Mahrez, who is currently away on international duty, with Algeria involved in qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.