According to a report in the Daily Star, Arsenal have been linked with a surprise plan to sign both Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez and Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson this summer.

Arsene Wenger has already reportedly drawn up a shortlist of targets to pursue this summer but the aforementioned duo might not be available for too much longer.

If the club’s interest is credible, they will need to act quickly.

Mahrez is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £30m and is likely to have a number of suitors across Europe, including Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain who want to tempt him away from the King Power.

Gibson’s situation with already-relegated Middlesbrough seems more straightforward.

The central defender has impressed alongside Calum Chambers, on-loan from the Gunners this term, but their partnership was often disrupted by injuries which meant they could not help keep Steve Agnew’s side up.

Boro are expected to sell most of their key players and although Gibson is a fan favourite, he will be encouraged by a range of different offers to remain in the Premier League next season.

This though, is where things get tricky.

If Arsenal were to sign Gibson, he’d have to be featuring regularly. With Chambers returning this summer, Arsenal already have a number of defensive options to suit a range of different formations, whether that be the 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 of old.

Chelsea and Liverpool have reportedly been monitoring Gibson’s progress so if the three were to battle for his signature, it’s likely he’d join the Reds as they could offer more assurance over regular minutes.