Riyad Mahrez remains a Leicester City player, at least for the foreseeable future having seen attempts to leave the former Premier League champions fall through on transfer deadline day.
The Algerian international was allowed to leave the national squad during the international break in attempt to finalise a transfer deadline day move, widely reported to be either Chelsea or Manchester United.
Any potential move failed to come to fruition by the transfer deadline of 11 pm on the 31st August, and Leicester City were said to be angered by the winger’s actions, suggesting they had no prior knowledge of his intentions to leave.
Linked with a number of clubs
Former Le Havre winger Mahrez had previously been linked with a move away after enjoying a breakthrough season in the 2015-16 Premier League campaign with the Foxes, the season in which he helped them to their first Premier League title to the surprise of many, under the leadership of the now departed Italian boss Claudio Ranieri.
Given the role he had played in the club’s successful season in which they stormed to the title, it came as no surprise to see his transfer valuation skyrocket to somewhere in the region of £35m, a figure that would not deter reported interest from London based club Arsenal, who were heavily linked with his signature ahead of the 2016-17 season.
Mahrez was tipped to go ahead with a move to the Emirates, however a move failed to materialise, and he remained put at the King Power Stadium.
Tumultuous 2016-17 season
The 2016-17 season was a largely different story for Mahrez and Leicester, as their league performances suffered, perhaps down to the added commitment of Champions League football they had earned as a result of their league title win in the previous season.
Claudio Ranieri was eventually sacked, a somewhat controversial decision that was met with widespread criticism from many, who labelled his sacking as a disgrace given the successful season that was enjoyed by the Foxes in the 2015-16 season under his leadership, with his assistant Craig Shakespeare given the role of manager for the rest of the season.
Is he set to depart in January?
Riyad Mahrez will see his playing days at Leicester continue at least for now, but he will have to face the music having angered his employers with his behaviour on transfer deadline day.
With the Algerian international supposedly keen on a move, will the Foxes grant his wish come the January transfer window?
Written by Cristian Fry
Follow Cristian on Twitter @CristianF99
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