Liverpool are in talks to sign Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez but the Algerian is holding out on a late move from Arsenal.
The 26-year-old has been identified by Jurgen Klopp as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool have cash to spend following the Brazilian’s £142million move to the Camp Nou.
Mahrez handed in a transfer request last summer in a bid to force through a move to a top-six club but suitors were put off by Leicester’s £50m valuation.
However, the former PFA Player of the Year has recaptured the form that helped guide the Foxes to Premier League glory and Mahrez’s camp are in talks with Liverpool over a move to Anfield, according to the Daily Express.
Arsenal were interested in Mahrez in 2016 and the report claims the Algeria international would favour a move to the Emirates over joining Liverpool.
The Gunners are resigned to losing Alexis Sanchez this month and are mulling over a £25m bid from Manchester United for the Chilean.
While Arsene Wenger remains keen on Monaco ace Thomas Lemar, he’s pessimistic about his club’s chances of securing the Frenchman and he wants a replacement in before letting Sanchez go.
That could aid Mahrez’s wish of moving to north London with a deal for the Algerian appearing easier to pull off than a move for Lemar.
MORE: Manchester United board refuse to back Jose Mourinho over £90m Thomas Lemar transfer
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
