- Man City given hope of landing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City
- £50m target has reportedly handed in transfer request to push move through
- Guardiola eyeing reinforcements particularly after Sane injury
- READ MORE: Pep Guardiola wants shock last-gasp Man City move for £60m+ rated PL star, way off valuation
Amid speculation of a Man City bid being lodged, Leicester City ace Riyad Mahrez has reportedly asked to leave the Foxes ahead of the transfer deadline.
The 26-year-old has been a major influence for Claude Puel’s side this season, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists in 27 appearances.
In turn, they’ll surely be desperate to keep him at the King Power Stadium, but it could become a difficult task as Sky Sports claim that he’s now handed in a transfer request.
It comes after City made a £50m bid for the Algerian international, as per the report, and so if it is a reaction to that, then that would suggest that Mahrez is keen on linking up with Pep Guardiola.
It’s a strategic move from the Premier League leaders, with BBC Sport reporting that Leroy Sane now faces a six-week spell on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in the FA Cup win over Cardiff City at the weekend.
That leaves a void that Guardiola must fill, and coupled with the current absence of Gabriel Jesus, the Spanish tactician may be a little concerned that he’s losing key players in the final third that need to be replaced and must have more competition for places either way.
With just over 24 hours to go until the transfer deadline this month though, it remains to be seen whether or not a move to join Guardiola’s squad materialises for Mahrez.
Based on the Sky Sports report above, there is no suggestion a fee, personal terms or a medical have been agreed upon or scheduled, and so the respective parties will have to move quickly if a transfer is hoped to go through before Wednesday night.