The Algerian attacking midfielder is keen to remain in
England and the Ligue 1 champions would struggle to
pay the €40m asking price and high wages
SPECIAL REPORT
Monaco have been priced out of the race to sign Leicester
City star Riyad Mahrez, Goal understands, with Arsenal
emerging as the favourites.
Last year's Premier League Player of the Year enjoys
living in England, where he has become one of the highest-
regarded wingers in the world despite his loss of form at the
start of 2016-17.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had a phone call with
Mahrez last year in which he expressed his desire to sign
him and, though a deal never came to fruition in
2016, Leicester are now willing to consider a sale for the
right price.
Man City hold Alexis talks in London
Leicester, who finished 12th this season after 2015-16's
incredible title win with Mahrez at the forefront,
expect €40 million (£35m) for one of their top players,
a sum the newly-crowned French champions would be
unwilling to fork out.
"If Monaco cannot pay and Riyad signs a new contract, it
will not be below a minimum salary of €6m (£5.2m),"
a member of Mahrez's entourage told Goal.
Such a high salary would be an insurmountable stumbling
block for Monaco, whose focus in recent seasons has been
on hoarding young, talented players whom they later sell on
for huge sums, such as James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and
Anthony Martial to Manchester United.
Ederson arrives to complete Man City move
This summer they have already sold Bernardo Silva for an
estimated £43m to Manchester City, with Benjamin
Mendy set to follow him from the Stade Louis II to the
Etihad Stadium.
Man City signing Silva last week essentially ends the
prospects of Mahrez, 26, joining Pep Guardiola's squad,
while Chelsea are believed to be pursuing other options.
PLAY
With Manchester United out of the picture, that leaves
Arsenal - heavily linked with the Algerian last summer - as
the most likely destination.
Joining the Gunners would mean no Champions League
football in 2016-17 for Mahrez, but it's not expected to
halt any potential move.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mahrez released a statement
explaining that he felt his ambitions couldn't be met by the
Foxes and wanted to leave the club in the upcoming transfer
window.
"Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester
City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and
transparent with them and have therefore informed the club
that I feel now is the time for me to move on," he said.
0 maoni:
Chapisha Maoni