Riyad Mahrez wants to join Arsenal despite his recent comments admitting he withdrew his January transfer request, and the fact he still has a contract with Leicester until 2020.

On Friday, Mahrez told Sky Sports his previous transfer request is no longer valid. He explained he just wants to focus on his own team for now, but didn’t rule out a move in the summer.

“It has gone,” he said of the transfer request. “It was in January, it’s another transfer window. I am still here – I don’t want to put a lot of things in my head. I am still in contract with Leicester so at the moment I am here and we will see.”

Although his official request to leave no longer stands, it definitely seems like Mahrez would consider a transfer. According to the Express, he still wants to leave, and favours a switch to Arsenal. He has a house in the English capital, and would prefer to move there over Manchester.

The runaway league leaders Manchester City, now champions, reportedly bid £50m for him in January, but Leicester wanted a ridiculous sum of £80m at the time.

You know we’re getting close to the transfer window when the Mahrez-to-Arsenal stories return.

In fairness, the Algeria international justified the speculation around his future this season. He is in double figures for goals and assists (11 each), including goal contributions against Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Plus, he’s the kind of player Arsenal need. A winger with the ability to take opponents on, who can threaten on the counter attack. We’ll see if there’s any truth to the rumours this time.