Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed that a deal to bring Riyad Mahrez to the Emirates this summer is possible, while also insisting that both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will be staying put.
The Algerian international would likely command a hefty fee after his Premier League winning form of the 2015-16 term, which earned him the PFA Premier League Player of the Year award, and Tottenham are also believed to be eyeing his signature also.
The midfielder has already spoken out in the press to express his wishes to move clubs, with him having agreed a deal with his club last summer which would allow him to leave in the close-season.
With Arsene Wenger revealing plenty whilst talking to Arsenal.com over the past days, we are set to remain in our newly-favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, and both Alexis and Ozil are set to stay put, so where would that leave space for Mahrez in our playing squad?
The 26 year-old has played predominantly in wide roles for Leicester City, as well as playing in behind the striker on occasion, but the two roles off the striker are currently dominated by Mesut and Sanchez.
The Chilean was switched to play as the attacker early into this season, but is believed to have told his manager that he preferred to play on the left behind the forward, and in the current formation, he would be a clear favourite for his favoured position.
Mahrez could possibly vie for a role at right-back, but Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are already battling strongly for that position, and you wouldn’t expect them to make way for the Leicester man.
Would Mahrez’s signing simply open the door for Alexis or Ozil to move on this summer? Could he really come in knowing he would likely be behind the pair in the pecking order?
Pat J