Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has been spotted in London ahead of a move away from Leicester City on deadline day.
Mahrez has been given permission by Algeria’s Football Federation to leave the national team’s camp in order to complete his transfer from Leicester.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Algeria’s FA confirmed that Mahrez will travel back to Europe ahead of his nation’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Saturday but did not reveal the club he will be joining.
Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham are all interested in securing the services of the 26-year-old and have already said to have tabled bids. But rumours suggest that Barcelona are accelerating their efforts to sign Mahrez. Certain reports also suggest Manchester United could make a late bid for the Algerian.
Mahrez, who was PFA Player of the Year in 2016 after playing a key role in Leicester’s shock Premier League title win that season has been edging to leave King Power Stadium and Leicester have so far rejected advances from AS Roma for the winger this summer
Mahrez has been with the Algeria squad preparing for their upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header with Zambia, but the FAF has given him the green light to resolve his club future before the transfer deadline.
A statement on www.faf.dz read: “Leicester City’s Algerian international Riyad Mahrez, who is currently with the national team in Sidi Moussa to prepare for the double confrontation against Zambia for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, 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 has shown incredible commitment despite having his heart set on leaving the club as he has featured in all three of Leicester’s Premier League fixtures and even assisted twice for the Foxes.
The tricky winger would be a welcome addition to all three of the London clubs as they look for reinforcements.
