Riyad Mahrez remains at Leicester despite being released from Algeria squad

Last updated on 31 August 2017.From the section Football183

Riyad Mahrez remained a Leicester City player on deadline day, despite being allowed to leave the Algeria squad to "formalise" a move away from the Foxes.

Roma, who have ended their interest in Mahrez, had three bids rejected after he expressed his desire to leave the 2015-16 Premier League champions.

A move to Barcelona is still viable for the winger, with the Spanish deadline not closing until midnight on Friday.

Manchester United and Chelsea were also interested in the 26-year-old.

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said Mahrez had been given permission to miss training to agree a deal before the transfer deadline.

A statement from the FAF said Mahrez "was authorised by the national coach Lucas Alcaraz and the Algerian Football Federation to make an express trip to Europe to formalise on Thursday his transfer to his new club.

"The national team will fly without him on Thursday morning to Lusaka to face Zambia on Saturday."

Mahrez was named the PFA Player of the Year after playing a key part in Leicester's title-winning season.

He has featured in all three of the Foxes' Premier League fixtures so far this term.

Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy, 25, has joined former side Nice on a season-long loan.

Mendy has made nine appearances since joining the Foxes a year ago, suffering an ankle injury soon after his arrival, and last appeared as a substitute in a 4-1 EFL Cup victory away to Sheffield United on 22 August.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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183 comments

Comment posted by User0739300898, at 08:10 31 Aug 2017
@22

You don't 'fluke' the league; a cup run maybe, but not the league. It takes a whole year covering 38 games. You can't fluke that.

Plus Leicester dominated the tail of the previous season so nearer 50 games.

Back under the bridge with the other trolls.
Comment posted by vestanpance, at 08:08 31 Aug 2017
@22 Are you really suggesting that for a whole season Leicester fluked every single point they won? May I suggest that, if that is the case, then you have fluked bashing the keys on your keyboard to make this most unjustified point.
Comment posted by Bird, at 07:10 31 Aug 2017
I was at Old Trafford on Saturday and Mahrez was terrific in a team that was getting pretty well battered. Great attitude and caused a lot of problems.

Didn't have a great season last year but who did at Leicester?

I would be happy for United to snap him up but will be a good buy for anyone. Quality player.
Comment posted by bbci, at 09:01 31 Aug 2017
Can't work out why someone like Mahrez, who was player of the year only a couple of seasons ago would be being touted for only £32M when Oxlade-Chamberlain only has a year left on his contract and is being bought for £40M. Seems like a bargain if you can get Mahrez for £32M - much more likely to have a match winning impact in a game.
Comment posted by User0739300898, at 08:05 31 Aug 2017
Drinkwater, Mahrez & Kante were/are hero worshipped at Leicester and paid obscene amounts of money.

Now moving to be squad entities for even more money.

When they look back on their careers in the future, no matter how much more they win, they will realise that winning the league against all odds at Leicester was THE highlight.
Comment posted by peter, at 08:32 31 Aug 2017
He's been a great servant to Leicester and stayed on long after he could have jumped ship to a big club.

Bought for nowt, played a massive part in Leicester's league win and will leave for a big fee. The perfect player really, as you can't expect a player of his calibre to stay at a club like Leicester.
Comment posted by PGB Addick, at 07:20 31 Aug 2017
Umm now we have transfer articles without even knowing the new club yet? What a bizarre window. Arsenal could find themselves in real trouble after today
Comment posted by User0136233578, at 07:33 31 Aug 2017
I've heard he's off to villa because he really rates Steve bruce.
Comment posted by D1679388525133, at 07:28 31 Aug 2017
Welcome to Huddersfield....
Comment posted by Dubbus, at 08:51 31 Aug 2017
Drinkwater pleads with Vardy and Mahrez not to move on after winning the league and soon as a bid from another club comes in he (in this case Chelsea) asks for a transfer.
It's just a full time circus just different clowns.
Comment posted by markyboy89, at 08:28 31 Aug 2017
Arsenal management meeting:

'Well we are resigned to losing Sanchez, Lemar is not for sale. Not sure we will be able to get Draxler, are there any other obvious candidates around? Someone who is actually for sale, can play on the wing? A name the fans know and would get excited about? Ideally Premier League proven?'

Wenger: 'I can't think of anyone.'
Comment posted by User0427753079, at 08:52 31 Aug 2017
Doesn't owe us a thing.
He stayed loyal when he could of easily jumped ship, and I hope he gets his move to Barca to see just how good he can become, as he is without a doubt the most skillful and technically gifted played I have/will ever see in a Leicester shirt.

How teams haven't snapped him up for £50m I don't know, when average players are moving for around the same amounts.
Comment posted by NeilT, at 08:09 31 Aug 2017
£32m, if true, and in the context of other sums that have been paid in this transfer window, is absolutely insulting. Mahrez is a magician. The only thing he did wrong in 2015-6 was miss two penalties which would have elevated Leicester's points total from 81 to 85. Arsenal in particular should be breaking the bank for him.
Comment posted by boneyuk, at 07:15 31 Aug 2017
Another of Arsenal's missed opportunities. Arsenal's 'players they wanted to sign but couldn't, wouldn't or didn't' team would win every cup, league, award, and general election ever. THAT'S the team I now support, not Arsenal. I can't bear it anymore. Like the team I used to support, I'm broken.
Comment posted by Spoony, at 13:01 31 Aug 2017
ARSENAL NEED:
Van Dijk, William Carvalho & Mahrez (& Sanchez)

LIVERPOOL NEED:
Van Dijk, Ter Stegen & more squad players / depth

MANCHESTER UNITED NEED:
Mahrez & a fit Luke Shaw

CHELSEA NEED:
Drinkwater & Costa to resolve differences

SPURS NEED:
Aurier (just signed) & White Hart Lane

MANCHESTER CITY NEED:
Fans
Comment posted by matt777, at 18:13 31 Aug 2017
He had THAT season with us, no interest last year, and has suddenly started performing again now he wants the move. I hope we get 50m+ and invest properly. He will be missed but we can do fine without him.
Comment posted by Redfazza, at 08:30 31 Aug 2017
I think it's a shame what's happened at LCFC since winning the league. An incredible achievement when the context is truly reflected on.

I will however, always remember the disgusting way the players behaved the following season when they got Ranieri sacked. Shameful! The fans and the money we pay to watch deserve more respect than they showed.

ArsenLOL should buy him but won't! 😂
Comment posted by User0434061049, at 08:14 31 Aug 2017
@29 One season wonders?? At what?? The way they fought against relegation the season prior to winning the league was incredible. Donut.
Comment posted by BlueStig, at 08:49 31 Aug 2017
@ 52. Jotnar__ING

You don't win a League being fortunate.

You seem to be a 'Glass half empty' person.

#Foxes Never Quit
Comment posted by User0766887094, at 07:50 31 Aug 2017
not relevent to Mahrez But here's something funny.

Coutinho, Drinkwater, Sanchez and Van Dijk have all been mysteriously injured this season.

weird coincidences when they've all asked to leave their clubs.