Leicester City superstar Riyad Mahrez has agreed to a move to Premier League giants Arsenal, several reports have claimed. On Thursday, the reports have made the co-owner of Leicester City, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a bit uneasy and the Thai businessman soon took to social media platform Instagram to mention something categorically in a rather humorous way.
Mahrez is just not for sale.
Where does this update leave Arsenal then? The Gunners are looking to spend big this summer as they get more keen on winning the Premier League title next year, and Arsene Wenger knows that is only possible if they have a lot of star names in their team.
While the future of Mahrez is still a doubt, the Gunners are also chasing highly-rated Germany international Julian Draxler, reports have claimed. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder stated earlier this week that he was leaving Wolfsburg at any cost, but there is still no confirmed word on where his next destination would be.
"I want to leave Wolfsburg, the coach has known for more than three weeks," Draxler told German newspaper Bild. "Two days after the semi-final at the European Championships I told him how I see the whole situation and what I want – which is to leave the club." The German club, on the other hand, wants the hotshot winger to stay on, mentioning that his transfer request "cannot be accommodated".
Draxler has a release clause worth £63m and while Wenger's side look keen to trigger it, fresh reports have come in that Everton are also contemplating making a shock move for the German. Not only that, Italian giants Inter Milan are also keen to rope in the player on a season-long loan deal worth £3.3m, with a clause to make the move permanent for £25m, according to Italian media outlet CalcioMercato Web.
Arsenal have no option but to offer it big to sign up the players now, as the scenario calls for it. With less than a month to go for the summer transfer window to close, the Gunners know the importance of making a Plan B and Plan C as well.
And here is where Inter Milan hotshot striker Mauro Icardi can come up as a backup option for Wenger's team. Reports from Italy emerged on Thursday that the Argentine striker's agent, Wanda Nara, has flown to London to hold talks with the English club over a potential £54m move.
Also, the 23-year-old's wife is reported to be on the plane as well.