Only three seasons ago, Riyad Mahrez was plying trade in Ligue 2 with Le Havre. His family and friends were not convinced with his move to Leicester City (joined for a paltry fee of 450,000 Euros only) due to the physical nature of the league, as they felt his playing style would be more suited to Spain.
He is now a Premier League winner. The Leicester superstar is now one of the sought after players in Europe at the moment, with a host of top European clubs are queuing at his doorstep trying to secure his signature.
Claudio Ranieri has urged his top players to stay for one more season at least and help him build a strong team. But Leicester know it will not be an easy task to keep hold of key players like Jamie Vardy, Mahrez and Ngolo Kante.
Mahrez has vowed to stay with Leicester next season, as Leicester aim to defend its Premier League title and embark on a European adventure.
Leicester have already offered him a contract extension till 2020 with a substantial increase in wages, but big European clubs won’t go away so easily.
According to reports from France Football, Arsenal have been in contact with two of Leicester’s biggest stars – Mahrez and Kante. The Gunners have already held a discussion over a possible double swoop, although such talks are thought to have taken place on introductory levels only.
Manchester United are also reportedly interested in Mahrez while other Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham also on the list of his admirers.
The Algerian has scored 17 goals in the Premier League this season and assisted a further 11 in Leicester’s fairy-tale journey to the Premiership title. His outstanding form has earned him Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award, which he thoroughly deserves.
Kante has equally played a crucial role in Leicester’s success this season. However, unlike Mahrez, he has yet to commit his future to the club.
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