Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'in talks' to secure Riyad Mahrez transfer in Leicester double-swoop

Arsenal have activated Jamie Vardy's release clause but are also being linked with his Leicester team-mate Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are both transfer targets for Arsenal (Getty)

Arsenal could follow the shock move for Jamie Vardy with another Leicester City import after reports emerged claiming that the club are also in talks for his Leicester team-mate Riyad Mahrez.

The two starred for Leicester this season and inspired the Foxes to the Premier League title, with Claudio Ranieri’s side finishing ahead of Arsenal after the Gunners secured second place on the final day of the season at Tottenham’s expense.

Vardy must make a decision between staying at Leicester and moving to Arsenal after the Gunners lodged a £20m bid to activate his release clause, but the 29-year-old striker may not be the only Leicester player heading to the Emirates this summer.

Mahrez dazzled all comers this season on his way to winning the title as well as the PFA Player of the Year award, and he has been linked with a move to the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain despite confirming his happiness at the King Power Stadium.

According to The Sun though, Mahrez is already in talks with Arsenal over a stunning move that would see Leicester’s squad depleted of two of its biggest names. The Foxes would receive a phenomenal return on the £400,000 they paid Le Havre for Mahrez in January 2014, but the 25-year-old would be a big loss for the side given he should have his best years ahead of himself.

It would also mean that Leicester would attempt to defend their Premier League crown as well as embark on their Champions League campaign without their two leading goalscorers from this season, although the money generated from their departure would enable Ranieri to add to his squad considerably.