Reports: Arsenal set to launch bid for Premier League star

What's the story?

Speculation surrounding Alexis Sánchez's future at Arsenal has been rife for the past few months, with many sources suggesting he'll either sign a pre-contract deal or be sold for a cut-price fee next month.

With the January transfer window only days away, it seems that the Gunners may already be preparing for life without the influential Chilean.

According to Le Buteur, they are once again aiming to sign Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez. The 26-year-old Algerian forward has displayed impressive form this term, netting seven and assisting a further five in 22 appearances thus far.

In case you didn't know...

Mahrez joined Leicester in 2014, for a staggering price of only €500,000 from AC Le Havre. He was nothing short of instrumental during the 2015/16 campaign, as Leicester managed to pull off a miraculous title victory with all odds stacked against them.

His market value has surged since then and is currently valued around €30m. In the summer, he had indicated that he wanted to leave, while Serie A side AS Roma were an interested party but no deal was made due to a high £45m asking price for his services.

The heart of the matter

Mahrez is a brilliant attacking talent, but one that could certainly ply his trade at a club with higher aspirations going forward - Arsenal could certainly prove to be a good fit.

Riyad Mahrez in 2017/18:? 22 games? 19 starts?? 7 goals? 5 assists pic.twitter.com/akDHHXFBSk

— DZ Football (@DZFootball_en) December 26, 2017

Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and a whole host of other top European sides have been monitoring Alexis' contract situation over the past year or so. Arsene Wenger was understandably reluctant to let him leave before the deadline earlier this year, but if he were to depart next month, Mahrez could prove an ideal replacement - currently reaching the peak years of his career whilst he would not cost a fortune either.

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Author's take

Alexis' departure from Arsenal appears bound to happen - whether that be in January still remains to be seen. Mahrez is blessed with good vision, skilful with the ball at his feet and equally adept at converting chances as he is creating opportunities in the final third. If the Gunners manage to agree on a fair price, there's no reason why the Algerian would not prove a decent replacement.