Arsenal are lining up a £75million double deal that would bring Riyad Mahrez AND Alexandre Lacazette to the Emirates.
Manager Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his attack after a lack of goals cost his team dearly in last season’s battle to be champions.
The Gunners eventually finished as runners-up to Mahrez’s Leicester, and now Wenger wants to ensure they make a sustained challenge for their first Premier League title since 2004 this season.
Winger Mahrez, voted Player of the Year by footballers’ union the PFA last season, and Lyon striker Lacazette are top of Wenger’s wanted list.
Mahrez – who has three years left on his contract with the new champions – would cost around £35m.
The Algeria international was on Spanish champions Barcelona’s radar this summer, but it is thought he would prefer to stay in England.
Arsenal will face competition from Everton for Mahrez.
New manager Ronald Koeman is looking to re-build the squad at Goodison Park and sees the 25-year-old as the perfect man to lift the profile of the club.
France international Lacazette, also 25, has been lethal in Ligue 1 and Wenger had a meeting with his agent during the European Championship this summer. Lyon’s asking price would be around £40m. Wenger wants to bring in new blood ahead of the Premier League opener with Liverpool, a match where he could be without FIVE recognised first-team players.
