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Arsenal transfer rumours: Riyad Mahrez and Shkodran Mustafi linked

Riyad Mahrez
Image: Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move to Arsenal

Which are the most credible Arsenal transfer rumours right now?

Sky Sports has teamed up with Football Whispers to bring you the hottest transfer talk of the moment, as Arsene Wenger looks to improve his squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

Football Whispers have developed a unique algorithm to take all of the transfer rumours from across the globe and calculate the likelihood of them happening.

They track transfer stories and give them a score out of 5.0, with the hottest Whispers closest to 5.0.

The top three are:

1. Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) - 4.2

Lyon's French forward Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring a goal
Image: Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette continues to top the charts for Arsenal transfer rumours from Football Whispers

As Arsenal continue their hunt for a frontman, Lyon forward Lacazette is again being linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium and is once again at the top of the Football Whispers list.

The Frenchman has appeared on the verge of a move to the Premier League all summer, although the Ligue 1 club have 'categorically denied' receiving any bids from the Gunners for their star man.

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With this transfer saga set to rumble on, could Lacazette be the man to support Olivier Giroud in Arsenal's bid for Premier League glory?

2. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) - 3.7

Riyad Mahrez is lifted up by Leicester team-mate Leonardo Ulloa after scoring against Celtic
Image: Mahrez lit up the Premier League with Leicester last season, but could he be moving elsewhere?

N'Golo Kante has already left Leicester City, but what will happen with his former team-mate Mahrez?

The Algeria international has been attracting interest from across Europe after a sensational season with the Foxes during the 2015/16 campaign.

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Claudio Ranieri has an update on the future of Leicester's Riyad Mahrez

He makes a strong second place showing in the Football Whispers charts after reports intensified that Wenger is ready to make a big money move for the winger - although Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri has urged Mahrez to stay at the King Power.

Read our feature on whether Arsenal need Mahrez here.

3. Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia) - 3.4

With the news that Per Mertesacker has been ruled out for 'months' with a knee injury, Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi has fired his way into the top three of the Football Whispers list.

Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia reacts during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF
Image: Shkodran Mustafi has been linked with a move to Arsenal after Per Mertesacker's injury

Much has been made about Wenger's hunt for a reliable striker this summer, but he may need to turn his attentions to shoring up his defence and the World Cup winner is reportedly on the radar. 

Mustafi has previously played in England for Everton - although he only made one first team appearance - and has spent the last two season with Valencia, making 78 appearances in all competitions. 

See who else Wenger could target to solve his defensive headaches here. 

Hottest Arsenal whispers - Thursday July 28

Player Club FW rating (out of 5)
Alexandre Lacazette Lyon 4.2
Riyad Mahrez Leicester 3.7
Shkodran Mustafi Valencia 3.4
Arda Turan Barcelona 2.5
Ashley Williams Swansea 2.1
Fabian Schar Hoffenheim 1.9
Karim Benzema Real Madrid 1.8
James Rodriguez Real Madrid 1.7
Rahid Ghezzal Lyon 1.6
Edinson Cavani PSG 1.4
Jeison Murillo Inter 1.1
Mario Lemina Juventus 1.1
Mauro Icardi Inter Milan 1.1

Don't forget to follow the most up-to-date information around the clock with the Sky Sports Transfer Centre