Arsenal and Tottenham to battle over Leicester star

North London pair Arsenal and Tottenham are set to enter a transfer tug of war over Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez in January, reports the Mirror on Sunday. 

Mahrez was heavily linked with a summer move away from the King Power Stadium, with Barcelona, Roma and Chelsea mooted destinations for the Algerian. 

However, a Leicester exit failed to materialise, but the Foxes could be up against it in their bid to retain the services of the 26-year-old in the New Year. 

Arsenal and Spurs have been credited with an interest in Mahrez in the past, though Leicester have remained steadfast in their bid to keep one of their key men. 

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger last week admitted that he could sell both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in January, with the pair yet to extend their contracts at the Emirates Stadium as they enter the final months of their deal. 

As such, Wenger would need to replace the pair and has courted Mahrez as a potential signing to ease the loss of the duo. 

It’s believed Mahrez would welcome a move to north London, having been on Wenger’s radar 12 months’ ago, while Spurs would enter any race to secure the services should Leicester entertain the option to sell.