They said’… Riyad Mahrez reveals the real reason why he didn’t join Arsenal after Leicester’s 2016 miracle
Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title win in 2016 saw many of their star players subjected to widespread interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The Foxes were in a relegation battle the season prior and sacked manager Nigel Pearson at the end of the season.
In came Claudio Ranieiri, which at the time, was seen as an appointment that would seal their fate back to the Championship.
However, as the story goes, Leicester suffered just three defeats that season and finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Arsenal then tried to sign Jamie Vardy but despite activating his release clause, the Leicester striker wanted to stay.
The Gunners then turned their attention to Riyad Mahrez, who has since explained why the transfer never materialised.
Riyad Mahrez says Leicester City blocked transfer to Arsenal
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2017, Riyad Mahrez revealed that Leicester told him he could join Arsenal but club chiefs then blocked the transfer from happening behind the scenes.
“They said: ‘Yes, there will be no problems if something comes up’,” Mahrez explained. “But behind the scenes they were blocking me – talking to clubs but just not wanting to sell me.
