The Daily Mail shocked the world 10 days ago by claiming that Arsenal were eyeing a blockbuster double move for Manchester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling this summer.
The pair have had their critics over the last few years, but nobody can deny their quality.
Sterling’s shocking end to the season put a target on his back. He was constantly criticised by the media for his shortcomings in the final few games of the campaign, but that still doesn’t convince us that City are willing to offload him.
Mahrez, on the other hand, has arguably had a better season than Sterling. He ended the campaign with three fewer goal involvements than the Englishman, but his three goals against PSG in the semi-finals of the Champions League made him every City fan’s favourite player for a few weeks.
Neither player was expected by fans to be transfer-listed, but if you had to guess one, you’d put your money on Mahrez as the Algerian is 30 already and he will soon enter the final two years of his contract.
However, Mahrez has now rubbished all the rumours. He has revealed that there’s nothing being discussed about his future, and he has no plans of leaving Manchester City this summer.
Mahrez: I will stay at Manchester City
He said in a press conference after Algeria best Mali yesterday: “There is nothing (in the rumours) about my future. I am well in Manchester. I will stay (at Manchester City) God willing.”
That’s no shock to anybody, but it’s still good to hear the truth from the horse’s mouth. Mahrez will not be leaving Manchester City this summer, and he will definitely not be joining Arsenal.
As much as we all knew there wasn’t a lot in this rumour, some fans were worried about signing another ageing winger, mainly due to what Edu and Mikel Arteta did with Willian last year. Thankfully, there will be no repeat of that this summer – well, not with Mahrez at least.
Read more: Edu could soon sign another Brazilian wonderkid who’s just like Martinelli
