Four clubs in for Mahrez

Four clubs are eyeing up a summer move for Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez according to reports today.

The winger was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the closing 48 hours of the January transfer window, but denied a move due to Leicester’s £95m valuation. City were believed to be only willing to pay up to £65m.

As we reported earlier this week, the situation surrounding his future has caused Mahrez deep disappointment, and he has gone on strike, failing to turn up for a training session since Tuesday, and missing two key games for the Foxes.

Leicester boss Claude Puel is still hopeful that the situation can be resolved and the winger can be reintegrated back into the team:

He said:

“After some time, he will come back with us.

“He is our friend and I think all the staff and all the players will help him to come back with a good mentality and a positive attitude and to enjoy his football with his team-mates.

“Riyad is a good player but he is a good man also. I respect him. It’s important to manage this with calm inside the club.”

However, reports today suggest that Leicester could still have a job on their hands to keep the Algerian beyond the summer. The Star on Sunday are reporting that four clubs are interested in signing the 26-year-old, with Arsenal re-entering the race for his signature. The Gunners have been linked with a move for Mahrez on a number of occasions in the past, but decided to focus their attentions on the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan instead.

However, the report claims that Arsene Wenger is making enquiries into the players character and temperament as he weighs up a potential move.

While Manchester City’s interest is obvious, it is also thought that Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in the winger as both sides look to beef up their attacking options, especially down the right.