Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez.
by
Phumzile Ngcatshe
Tuesday May 22, 2018. 11:30
Manchester City are still keen on landing Algeria and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez this summer.
Manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly revived his interest in the Desert Foxes international, having continued to monitor the Leicester attacker.
Guardiola’s interest follows the breakdown of a prospective deal in the January transfer window on deadline day, where the player later boycotted training for two weeks.
The 2016 English Premier League turned down the offer from the Etihad Stadium as they stated it would take a mind-blowing offer from City to lure the African away.
Moreover, City were quoted a package worth around £95m, while they themselves valued the 27-year-old closer to £60m.
The Guardian reports that there is no formal offer made for Mahrez, who is contracted until 2020, but informal discussions between City’s chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and his opposite number, Susan Whelan, did occur.
Subsequent to that transfer deadline failure, the former Le Harve player also handed in a formal transfer request in a bid to force through a move.
Although there is doubt that the 27-year-old would still be keen to join the new EPL champions, Guardiola is also intent on signing a midfielder to replace Yaya Touré following his departure from City.
Napoli’s Jorginho is the manager’s principal target and it is believed he is closing in on a deal for the 26-year-old, who is valued at €60m (£52.5m) by his current employers.
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