Chelsea monitoring Riyad Mahrez as Antonio Conte considers wide options

Mahrez is also a transfer target for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal
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Simon Johnson8 June 2017

Chelsea are monitoring Riyad Mahrez's situation at Leicester as Antonio Conte considers buying another wide player during the summer transfer window.

Conte wanted Napoli star Dries Mertens, but the Belgium international signed a contract extension at the end of May to stay at the Serie A club until 2020.

Mahrez scored 17 goals and set up another 11 during Leicester's stunning 2015/16 Premier League title-winning season as the Algerian also won the PFA Player of the Year award, and signed a new long-term deal at the King Power Stadium.

The winger struggled to maintain his scintillating form last season as Leicester looked in danger of relegation for much of the campaign, with the Foxes only steering clear of safety following Claudio Ranieri's sacking.

In late May Mahrez confirmed his intention to leave Leicester, having originally promised the club one more year after their title win.

Arsene Wenger has expressed his admiration for the 26-year-old, though suggested last weekend that while he may launch a bid, no offer has yet been made.

Mahrez had said of his decision to leave Leicester: "Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on.

"I had a good discussion with the Chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.

"However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience."

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