Riyad Mahrez has announced his intention to leave Leicester City to pursue new challenges.

• Arsenal believed to have renewed interest in Algerian winger
• Mahrez has formally communicated his intention to leave Leicester
• Player valued at £40m

Reported Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez handed in a transfer request yesterday, which could boost Arsenal’s chances of signing him.

In a statement, Mahrez said:

“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.”

Arsenal are apparently targeting the player again after their approach last summer was rebuffed.

Leicester value the player at £40m and will be hoping for a bidding war following the player’s transfer request. Spurs are also said to be interested.

This seems a case of a player being available should Arsenal want him, though you’d have to ask if moving to a team playing in the Europa League next season would be a “fiercely ambitious” move.

Mahrez could well be on Arsenal’s list in the event that Alexis Sanchez forces a move away from the club.