Roma are reportedly desperate to prize away Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez from the clutches of Arsenal this summer.

AS Roma have been linked with the 26-year-old in the past few days, and with a £20m offer turned down Leicester are reported by the Daily Mail to want twice this amount.

Monchi, Roma’s sporting director, is said to have spoken with Leicester’s head of recruitment about Mahrez but the difference in valuation is causing difficulties. Arsenal have apparently also enquired but were initially put off by the valuation.

With Arsenal’s deal for Thomas Lemar looking less and less likely of happening after David Ornstein’s tweet, Mahrez is being considered a more serious alternative wide option.

Arsene Wenger has not yet made any bid for the Algerian, seemingly waiting to see what would happen with Lemar.

The Gunners will have to move fast for Mahrez as Roma lead the race for his signature, already having a bid rejected this summer.