CHINA TOPIX

11/02/2024 05:39:07 pm

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Football Transfer Rumors: Arsenal to Steal Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kanté from Leicester City This Summer

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez lifts the English Premier League trophy

(Photo : Getty Images) Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez lifts the English Premier League trophy. Arsenal FC will try to steal midfielders Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté from the Foxes this summer, according to recent reports.

English Premier League side Arsenal FC will try to steal midfielders Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kanté from recently crowned EPL champions Leicester City FC this summer, according to recent reports.

Metro indicated that the Gunners are already "in discussions to sign Leicester City duo Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kanté in the summer transfer window" as veteran bench tactician Arsene Wenger is said to be "looking to bring them both to north London" this coming offseason.

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The report cited local French media outlet France Football as saying that "talks have already taken place over a sensational double swoop for both Mahrez and Kanté."

The 25-year-old Mahrez, an Algeria international, allegedly has a buyout clause of £40 million ($57.8 million) while the 25-year-old Kanté, who also plays for the French national team, is available for £20 million ($28.9 million) at the end of the season.

Other clubs who are said to be interested in acquiring Mahrez are English top flight squads Liverpool and Manchester United as well as La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

However, Caught Offside reported that the 5-foot-10 French-born Algerian had "committed his future to Leicester City" even as offers from the aforementioned squads "are expected to be made" in the summer.

Kanté is much more open to a transfer deal, though, as he is allegedly "more easily tempted away" from the King Power Stadium if given the right offer.

The duo is considered to be part of the core of the title-winning Foxes team this season. Mahrez scored 17 goals in 36 appearances in Leicester's midfield while Kanté netted only once in 35 games.

Mahrez, who joined Leicester in January of 2014 from Ligue 2 side Le Havre at an undisclosed transfer fee, is playing in his third season for the East Midlands giants. He had scored 25 goals in 89 games in all competitions for the Foxes during the said time span.

Meanwhile, Kanté is playing in only his first year for Leicester after he was acquired last summer from Ligue 1 club Caen for a transfer fee of £5.6 million ($8 million). 

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