Even though the Arsenal transfer target Riyad Mahrez made it clear after the end of the season that he wanted to leave his current club and suggested there was an agreement in place with Leicester City not to stand in his way, there was still a major obstacle standing in the way of Arsene Wenger getting the deal done which he had tried unsuccessfully to do last summer.
That obstacle was the considerable financial muscle and allure of the Catalan giants FC Barcelona, who Mahrez was apparently keen to play for. According to a Metro report, though, the Algerian international has grown tired of waiting for Barca to make a move and so Mahrez is now said to be ready to sign for the Gunners instead.
The story is that the Spanish club are looking at other players such as Marco Veratti of PSG to boost their squad and bounce back after seeing their great rivals Real Madrid lift both the Champions League and La Liga trophies. That leaves Wenger and Arsenal free to pursue the 26-year old who the Foxes value at around ยท50 million, so will Mahrez soon become the second signing of the summer for us after Sead Koaslinac?
Bob.