Riyad Mahrez is desperate to join Arsenal

The Leicester playmaker handed in a transfer request at the end of last season.

There have been few takers and only Roma have made a concrete offer.

But their £20m bid was well below what the Foxes are after and his choices appear slim.

Foot Mercato reporter Rablat Cedric says The Emirates remains Mahrez's dream destination.

He tweeted: "Market info: AS Roma have not returned for Mahrez.

"The player wants to move to Arsenal.

"Not the 1st choice of the Gunners."

Arsenal are thought to be chasing Monaco forward Thomas Lemar.

However, they insisted yesterday that no more of their star men would be leaving the Principality this summer.

They have sold Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko to English clubs in this window.