Riyad Mahrez to Reject New £100k-a-Week Leicester Contract and Follow Kante Out the Door

Published on: 15 July 2016

"?Leicester City are set to lose N'Golo Kante to Chelsea in the coming days, and now PFA Players' Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez could become the second big name in quick succession to leave the title winning Foxes.


The subject of Mahrez's future hasn't really been a topic of media speculation in recent weeks. But according to the Daily Mirror, the Algerian international is set to reject the offer of a new £100,000-per-week deal that would have further tied him to Leicester.

Mahrez only signed a new long-term deal last August but such has been Leicester's explosion in the intervening 11 months his star has dramatically risen during that time.


The club managed to convince Jamie Vardy to snub interest from Arsenal to agree a new deal, but not Kante, and now seemingly not Mahrez either.


Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with Mahrez at various points over the last few months.


Having already conducted business elsewhere, some of those are now likely to be out of the race despite the 25-year-old's possible availability, but the Mirror names Barcelona and Arsenal as suitors who will still be on alert. Chelsea are not specifically named, although they would be the club with the most need and the most to gain.


The sudden reports of Mahrez potentially leaving actually come as something of a surprise, especially after manager Claudio Ranieri was quoted by the Leicester Mercury as recently as Thursday expressing confidence that the player would stay.


"I am very confident with him. He stays," the Italian said. "He wants to stay here with us. He enjoys it, he is laughing. He is not a man who says 'oh coach, I want to go.' No, he is happy."

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