Tottenham enter the race for Arsenal target

 

Tottenham are monitoring the future of wantaway Leicester star Riyad Mahrez and could even lock horns with north London rivals Arsenal for his signature this summer, reports the London Evening Standard.

 

Mahrez told Leicester in May he wants to leave the club this summer but Craig Shakespeare’s side are reportedly holding out for nearly £50m for the former PFA Player of the Year.

 

Arsenal are reportedly still interested in signing Mahrez this summer despite the fact he turned down the chance to join Arsene Wenger’s side 12 months ago in favour of a new deal with the Foxes.

 

The Gunners will only turn their attentions to Mahrez if they fail to land No.1 transfer target Thomas Lemar but face losing out on the Algeria international with Roma, and now Tottenham, keen.

 

Roma have already had one bid for Mahrez rejected this summer and are reportedly preparing an improved €30m (£26.6m) bid for the 26-year-old, who dazzled during Leicester’s pre-season friendly against West Brom on Wednesday.

 

 

However, they are still a long way off what Leicester hope to get for Mahrez and now Tottenham are watching things closely as they ponder a move for the tricky winger.

 

Mahrez endured a difficult campaign for Leicester last season. He went from scoring 17 goals and registering 11 assists during the club’s shock Premier League-winning campaign in 2015/16 to playing a direct hand in just nine goals last term (six goals, three assists).

 

Furthermore, only Wilfried Zaha (111) failed to complete more dribbles in the Premier League than Mahrez (91) last season.

 

For more stats on Riyad Mahrez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page