Riyad Mahrez says yes to Arsenal

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Riyad Mahrez has agreed to join Arsenal from Leicester City in a 50 million euro move, according to Eurosport in France.

Claudio Ranieri had said earlier in the week that the 25-year-old PFA Player of the Year was happy at the King Power Stadium, but it now looks as though he may be set to lose another of his star men following N’Golo Kante’s departure to Chelsea.

The Algerian enjoyed a memorable 2015/16 season, scoring 17 goals as the Foxes won the Premier League title.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the club are prepared to spend big money this summer if they can identify the right player.

The Gunners have already spent 30million pounds in Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka during this transfer window.

ENGLAND

• Celtic should complete the signing of former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure on Saturday. The club has also signed Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle for 25million pounds. Their midfielder, Lucas Leiva is a target for Turkish side Galatasaray.
• Manchester United’s Uruguayan defender Guillermo Varela has joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt for 2016-17 season. United are also considering a 54million pounds bid for Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez.
• West Bromwich Albion have turned down 20million pounds bids for striker Saido Berahino from Crystal Palace and Stoke City.
• David Moyes has been appointed Sunderland manager on a four-year deal. The former Everton and Manchester United boss takes charge at the Stadium of Light after Sam Allardyce left to become England manager.
• New boss Antonio Conte has told owner Roman Abramovich he needs five more signings to make Chelsea challengers again.
• Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has put off a move for Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos because of the player’s 240,000 pounds-a-week wages.
• Everton are prepared to bid 25million pounds for Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.
• Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has encouraged boss Arsene Wenger to make a move for Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan.

ITALY

• Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that the club are in talks with a club over the sale of Manchester United target Paul Pogba.
• Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has undergone a medical with officials from Juventus and has agreed a deal to join the club, according to Sky Italy.
• Napoli and Juventus remain in negotiations about a potential deal for the 28-year-old Argentina international but the buyout clause is almost 79million pounds.

SPAIN

• Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has dismissed rumours about his future with the Spanish champions in a post on Instagram.
• Following the signing of Andre Gomes from Valencia, Miquel Sors, one of Rakitic’s representatives, tweeted “It’s time to go” leading to speculation the Croatia international could be set to quit Camp Nou.
• However, Rakitic then posted on Instagram: “Getting ready for the new season and really up for it. By the way, my only agent is Arturo Canales.”

Sources: DailyMail, BBC, SkySports, soccernet.com, football365.com