Riyad Mahrez has emerged as a strong contender for Barcelona as the Catalans are considering options to make a move for the winger. Mahrez has been strongly linked with a move outside the King Power Stadium.
Mahrez has expressed his desire to leave the club after a decent season. The Foxes had a few initial jitters in this campaign but some late revival of form inspired by the Algerian winger had steadied their ship. Initially, they were flirting with the drop zone but they managed to make an average finish to the season as they were placed in the 12th position at the end of this term.
They also went on to qualify for the quarter-final in their maiden Champions League campaign but had to taste defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Claudio Ranieri had to part ways with the club due to their woeful campaign as Craig Shakespeare was appointed as the manager. He performed a commendable job and led the team to a safe midtable position.
Arsenal and Chelsea are also weighing up a move for the player. Arsene Wenger’s interest in the player is the talk of the town for some time as the veteran Gunners manager had been courting a move for the player for quite a while and might make a move for in near future.
Mahrez cost Leicester a paltry £400,000 in 2014 when he arrived from French club Le Havre. He went on to play a pivotal part in Leicester’s title-winning season as the Algerian winger had been one of the influential figures for the Foxes. Despite attracting a number of interests he chose to pledge his future to the club by signing a new contract.
But the present scenario is different and Leicester might give it a thought of cashing in on him. They put a price tag of £35m on the player but Barcelona are not willing to match their demands. The Catalans club reportedly had a meeting with his representative but nothing has come out so far.
Catalans had an erratic campaign as they fell short of claiming the La Liga as Real Madrid went on to lift the Spanish title on the final day of the season. The Spanish giants also had to come empty-handed from the Champions League as they failed to break the Juventus defence in the quarterfinal.
Mahrez is ready to wait to consider the Barcelona situation as playing alongside Lionel Messi is everyone’s dream.
