Good news for Arsenal fans as Leicester boss confirms failed Roma bid for Arsenal target

Leicester City boss Craig Shakespeare has backtracked on his former claim that the Foxes were yet to receive any bids for unsettled star Riyad Mahrez, confirming that Serie A side AS Roma did indeed tabled a low offer for a player also eyed by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur that was “politely rejected.”

The Algerian has publicly declared his intention to leave the King Power Stadium this summer transfer window in pursuit of a new challenge, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirming his interest in signing the African star.

The Algeria international midfielder also emerged as a primary target for AS Roma, who are in the transfer market for a new winger after selling Egyptian Mohamed Salah to Premier League club Liverpool for £36.9m last month.

According to Leicester Mercury, the Giallorossi were plotting a second €30m offer for the flying winger after failing in their initial attempt said to be worth a lowly €23m.

Mahrez, who signed a new four-year deal with the club last August that saw his wages increase to about £100,000-a-week is apparently ready to take a wage cut to play UEFA Champions League football with Roma next season.

Leicester boss Shakespeare, who wants the winger to remain in the East Midlands, quickly tried to end the speculation by insisting that no initial offers had been submitted, a position he clarified during a press conference held in Hong Kong before Leicester’s Premier League Asia Trophy final clash with Premier League rivals Liverpool on Saturday.