Riyad Mahrez Hands In Transfer Request After £50m Bid From Manchester City

Riyad Mahrez has apparently handed in an official transfer request at Leicester amid an offer in excess of £50m for Manchester City.

The news comes on the same day City confirmed the signature of defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for a club-record £57m fee.

Sky Sports News understands that while no formal, written offer has been lodged, City representatives have made it clear what they are prepared to pay, and Leicester have responded by stating they do not want to sell Mahrez, and a bid of around £50m is far too low.

Nevertheless, it is understood that Mahrez did not go to the Leicester City training ground on Friday and has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Merseyside ahead of their game against Everton.

According to various media reports, Leicester rate the Algerian Premier League winner much higher than the £50m that has been mentioned.

Speaking earlier this month, Foxes boss Claude Puel was asked if Mahrez could cost potential suitors £100m. He said: “Perhaps; maybe in the summer he will cost even more than £100m. (But) it’s just rumours, noise about him. We can see Riyad smile, enjoying his football, enjoying to play with his team-mates.”

Leicester threw out three bids for 26-year-old Mahrez from Roma last year with a £31.8m offer given short shrift by the Premier League side.

Mahrez is viewed as replacement for Leroy Sane, who damaged his ankle during the 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Sunday.