After learning of City’s interest, Mahrez immediately handed in a written transfer request to Leicester and did not travel with the Foxes for their game against Everton tonight (Wed).
Leicester insist the Algerian winger is not for sale and their Thai owners are under nopressure to sell. It is understood their valuation of Mahrez is about £90m after seeing Philippe Coutinho sold for £142m and Virgil van Dijk for £75m in the current transfer window. City have bid about £50m.
It is the second time Mahrez – who was voted the PFA Player of the Year in Leicester’s title-winning season of 2015-16 –has asked for a move.
Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with him over the past 18 months but last summer only Roma made an official bid for him and their offers were rejected.
City’s sudden move followed just hours after they had smashed their club record transfer fee by signing defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for £57m.
Leicester’s valuation of Mahrez means a deal is unlikely to go through before tonight’s 11pm deadline but City’s sudden interest underlines Guardiola’s concern that the loss of in-form left winger Sane – who damaged ankle ligaments in a recklesstackle by Cardiff’s Joe Bennett – could derail their hopes of trophies on four fronts.
Leicester insist the Algerian winger is not for sale and their Thai owners are under nopressure to sell. It is understood their valuation of Mahrez is about £90m after seeing Philippe Coutinho sold for £142m and Virgil van Dijk for £75m in the current transfer window. City have bid about £50m.
It is the second time Mahrez – who was voted the PFA Player of the Year in Leicester’s title-winning season of 2015-16 –has asked for a move.
Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with him over the past 18 months but last summer only Roma made an official bid for him and their offers were rejected.
City’s sudden move followed just hours after they had smashed their club record transfer fee by signing defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for £57m.
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