Arsenal transfer twist as Premier League winner visits the Emirates amid January rumours

Could it have been more than a snatched chance to enjoy some football?

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has been spotted in the stands at the Emirates for Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.

The former Premier League champion, who was named as player of the season as the Foxes snatched the title in 2016, was in attendance alongside his teammate and fellow Algerian international Islam Slimani, sparking rumours over the future of the pair.

Antonio Conte has told the Blues to go out and find him a target man capable of playing back up to Alvaro Morata while also offering something different as the player leading the line when Chelsea's Plan A fails to make the difference.

It has been suggested that Slimani fits the bill although the club are said to be in advanced talks over signing former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko from Roma.

Mahrez has long been linked with a move to the Emirates and would fit in well with Arsene Wenger's style of football and philosophy.

Arsenal Fan TV caught the winger on his way home after the game as supporters chanted "Riyad is a Gooner" and asked the Leicester player if he will be signing in January.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been talked up as a potential destination for the 26-year-old while fans of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have called for their teams to make a move for the dribbler at one stage or another.

Lithe, clever and tricky on the ball, Mahrez has been involved in 59 goals since arriving in the Premier League back in January 2015, and has eight goals and seven assists so far this season for Leicester in the league.

He was close to joining Roma in the summer as a replacement for Mohamed Salah but talks broke down over his transfer fee.

It remains to be seen as to whether his trip to the Emirates was down to business, pleasure or both. Of course, if he was in the stands to have a closer look at his next club, who is to say it was Arsenal?