Riyad Mahrez has handed a transfer request to Leicester City as the Algerian is planning to leave the club in the summer. The winger’s form dipped severely this season as Leicester City have failed to keep pace with the other top Premier League teams. Their ambition could be the reason why Mahrez has taken such a decision at this crucial point of his career.
The Foxes had a pretty shaky start to their Premier League campaign this term as they kept hovering around the relegation zone for a large part of the first half of this season. But some tactical changes and the ouster of their Premier League winning manager Claudio Ranieri seemed to have done the trick for them.
Mahrez also showed some flashes of brilliance of late as they revived their season with a 12th place finish. A number of clubs are expected to engage in a tug of war as any club would love to have him on their side.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has been handed a new two-year contract by the club and he is bound to do some shrewd business in the summer to take his team to a whole new level. The winger has been linked with the Gunners earlier but that time a move didn’t materialise. But with Mahrez looking for a move out of the club, the Emirates Stadium could be one of his possible destinations.
Theo Walcott had a good season with the Gunners but he hasn’t been able to stamp his authority in this Arsenal set up. Goals haven’t been a problem for him but somewhere he has not been able to match up to the quality of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Mahrez’s arrival could link him up front with Ozil and Sanchez but whereas he has mostly thrived in a fast pacey counter attacking based football, Arsenal mainly rely on possession-based football and it remains to be seen how Wenger uses him should he arrive.
Liverpool
Mahrez’s addition would be the icing on the cake for Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool’s number of matches will be increased should they qualify for the Champions League group stage next season and if this happens, they certainly need adequate depth in the squad. Mahrez can bring a perfect balance to the team but with his star value still intact to an extent, he would not come cheap. The Reds’ owners have the cash to splash and there shouldn’t be a second thought before indulging in a bidding war.
Tottenham Hotspur
Mauricio Pochettino would be searching a player who could hand him a chance to explore various options and Mahrez could be the answer to it. The winger would bring a certain flair to the side and while Spurs already boast of a number of talented players with the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, it would be very interesting to see him playing alongside these two players.
