Leicester City are set to be raided by England and Europe’s biggies this summer.After N’Golo Kante rejecting a new contract and eyeing a move to Chelsea, it’s Riyad Mahrez who will snub new contract offer and is widely expected to leave the club this summer.
Leicester were hoping that a title winning campaign would prevent star players from leaving and they were handed a boost when Jamie Vardy decided to reject Arsenal and stay put at the King Power Stadium, but it seems like his team-mates have other plans.
Mahrez was offered a £100,000-per-week contract by Leicester in order to tie the PFA Player of the Year to a long-term deal, but the Algerian international will reportedly turn down the contract in a bid to attract bigger clubs.
Though Mahrez is tied to a long-term deal with Leicester, having put pen-to-paper just last August, but the 25-year old has suddenly become one of the most sought after player in Europe.
Mahrez was linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City during the end of last season, but the rumors slowly died down and it was expected that he was staying put at Leicester.
But the new reports suggest that Mahrez could be on his way out, as Barcelona and Arsenal still chasing the player.
It is also surprising, mainly due to the fact that just recently Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri suggested that he was very confident that his star midfielder will stay.
“I am very confident with him. He stays,” the Italian said. “He wants to stay here with us. He enjoys it, he is laughing. He is not a man who says ‘oh coach, I want to go.’ No, he is happy.”
However if Mahrez was to leave, Leicester are likely to ask for a very hefty fee for him.