Arsenal closing in on Riyad Mahrez transfer after Leicester City star gives up on Barcelona

Arsenal are on the verge of beating Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool to the signing of Riyad Mahrez, according to reports.

The Algerian winger has flourished since joining Leicester City in 2014, helping the Foxes clinch the Premier League title in 2016.

Mahrez was named the PFA Player of the Year following the remarkable season but was unable to replicate the feat during the most recent campaign.

As Leicester struggled in their title defence, initially emerging as shock relegation contenders, Mahrez failed to find his best form before improving towards the end of the season.

But after three years at the King Power Stadium, the playmaker is ready to move on, confirming earlier in the month that he would seek a summer move.

‘The chairman and I agreed that I would stay another year at the club and that he would let me leave at the end of the season,’ Mahrez said.

‘I think it would be the right time for me to leave, I have experienced everything at this football club.’

The Algeria international has had no shortage of potential suitors after announcing his intention to leave, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all hoping to secure his signature.

But Mahrez, 26, was reportedly happy to snub the Premier League giants in favour of a switch to Barcelona, who had also expressed interest in a summer swoop.

Spanish outlet AS say that while the player has been in talks with Barca, he is growing tired of waiting for a formal offer, now turning his attentions back to Arsenal.

Barcelona have prioritised a move for Chelsea target Marco Verratti over Mahrez, leading the player to decide to join the Gunners, with a four-year deal possibly set to be wrapped up this week.

Mahrez, who is valued at around £50million by Leicester, has scored 35 goals in 138 appearances for the Foxes signing since from Le Havre three years ago.

Source: MetroUK