Leicester transfer huge front page news in Spain, contact been going on ‘for months’

 

Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez is the cover star of Thursday’s edition of Sport. The Catalan newspaper focuses mainly on Barcelona, and it’s claimed Mahrez is of interest to the club.

Mahrez has been linked with Barcelona previously, but this isn’t a story which has been widely pushed in Spain in recent months. Leicester’s struggles this season, and the poor form of Mahrez, have made a move seem unlikely.

However, Sport are confident enough to run with the idea, no doubt encouraged by the Leicester City revival which Mahrez has played a part in. Last summer the Foxes were set against a sale, so it’s explained Barcelona walked away from the situation.

This time around it’s apparently different, with Leicester being ready to negotiate the player’s exit.

The Algeria international is said to be very keen on Barcelona specifically, even though there’s other interest, and contact has been going on ‘for months’.

Mahrez to Barcelona is a story which could just as easily disappear tomorrow for Sport, as carry to something more serious.

An estimated transfer fee is put at €35m to €40m.