Arsenal join Manchester United and Tottenham in race for Riyad Mahrez

Arsenal have joined Manchester United in the race for Leicester City's high-flying forward Riyad Mahrez in January. The Gunners are going through an injury crisis at the moment with seven first team players out of contention and are looking to add some quality to the squad to facilitate their title charge through to the end of the season.

The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham have also enquired about the forward but his value has rocketed up to £25m ($37m), with the player having played a part in 20 goals in the current campaign, the highest in the league. His tally of 13 goals is only second to teammate Jamie Vardy, who has been another revelation in Leicester's brilliant start to the season. The Foxes are currently top of the league, two points ahead of nearest challengers Arsenal and six adrift of Manchester City.

However, Leicester are unlikely to let Mahrez leave in January, with manager Claudio Ranieri having explicitly warded off clubs from making a move for the forward before the end of the season. The same sentiment is shared by the player himself, who is also willing to wait out the year with Leicester before making any rash decisions over his future.

Ranieri is keen to hold on to his star player for an even extended period, with talks ongoing about offering him a new deal after the end of the season. Vardy is another player who is much in demand but the manager has received encouragement from Roy Hodgson who has urged the 28-year-old to keep put, which will increase his chances of featuring in next year's European Championships in France.

"I spoke to the two guys, we continue together, we can improve. Maybe at end of the season we can speak. We are in good flight now," Ranieri said. "I don't wait for their answer! If they believe in me — follow me. I didn't speak with my owner. But he knows very well my idea, it is also his idea. For them there is a contract which they must respect."