Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Monaco’s Thomas Lemar could them lose out on Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, with Roma very keen on the Algerian.

According to the Daily Star, Roma are targeting Mahrez as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who joined Liverpool this summer, and could beat Arsenal to his signature given the Gunners are yet to make an official bid.

Arsenal have been putting all their eggs into one basket with the pursuit of Lemar. Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists have rejected bids of £30m and £40m and reportedly want closer to £50m before they consider selling.

The Ligue 1 champions are keen not to have their side broken up after a successful 2016/17, although the 21-year-old is said to be keen to leave. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger even recently admitted Lemar was a player the club have been watching this summer.

But with Mahrez now a real transfer target for another club, Arsenal have a decision to make which player to try and sign ahead of the new campaign. Mahrez handed in a transfer request at Leicester and is keen to move, but there are question marks of his consistency and attitude.

Lemar is younger and had a much better last season and will provide more industry than his Algerian counterpart. Arsenal are running out of time to make a choice, as they could yet lose both players.