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The Algerian football federation decided to get in on the transfer window madness on Wednesday evening when they excitedly announced Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez had been given permission to leave the national team.

Usually countries keep this kind of thing under-wraps, not wanting to advertise it too much, or certainly create a bigger story than what already exists.

There was to be none of that holding back from Algeria, who even announced Mahrez would be sorting out a transfer. They didn’t mention the club involved, and since then there’s been a circus to find out who.

It’s worth noting that before the Algeria news, AS reported online that Barcelona had reopened contacts in case the Philippe Coutinho effort ended badly. The Spanish newspaper now say Mahrez also has offers from Arsenal and Chelsea.

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Over in France, Tottenham have been dragged in, with L’Equipe referencing both Chelsea and Barcelona too. Tottenham have ‘engaged in negotiations’ to sign the player, which would be something of a last minute coup for Mauricio Pochettino.

L’Equipe don’t mention Arsenal, but others in France do. RMC go with Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, with Barcelona there too.

Earlier in August, the Leicester City player was pretty much mocked in Spain when it was claimed he’d offered himself to Barcelona.

Catalan newspaper Sport dismissed the idea of signing Mahrez, quite cruelly, saying at that time he ‘doesn’t come into Barca’s plans’.

Earlier this week, France’s SFR also linked Manchester United, with it being claimed Jose Mourinho is keen on the player.

AS Roma have tried the hardest this summer and perhaps they’ll finally come up with the money, but there’s a feeling Mahrez would prefer any of the other named clubs.

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