Summer target was too expensive for Arsenal

According to The Daily Star, Algerian international Riyad Mahrez has said he was too expensive to sign for Arsenal in the Summer transfer window.

Speaking to Canal+ the Leicester star and Player of the Year last season said:

“There was contact with Arsenal. But Leicester wanted to keep me and I was pretty expensive. I did not want to create a conflict when the offer came in. Personally, I think it is a good thing I stayed put. It’s now up to me to prove myself again.”

Mahrez had been linked with the Gunners over the Summer for a fee rumoured to be around the £35 million mark but no deal came about and he duly signed a new contract with the current Premier League champions later on in the Summer.

The Algerian scored 17 goals last season as the Foxes secured the Premier League trophy ahead of Arsenal and has scored once in the league this season so far with a further two in the Champions League.

Arsenal were also linked with his team-mate Jamie Vardy over the Summer but he too decided to stay put for this season.

Currently, the Foxes are twelfth in the Premier League with eight points from their first seven games.

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