Manchester City have ended their deadline day pursuit of Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez.The Premier League leaders, who’d hoped to sign Mahrez after Leroy Sane was ruled out for six weeks with ankle ligament damage this week, submitted three bids for the Algerian winger.The final offer, worth a reported £55 million, was rejected by Leicester, who made it clear that they weren’t prepared to sell their star man unless they received a package worth a whopping £95 million.Mahrez, who is set to miss Leicester’s Premier League clash against Everton this evening, attempted to force a move to the Etihad Stadium after learning of City’s interest.The 26-year-old submitted a transfer request, according to Sky Sports, who understand that his Leicester teammates feel “angry and let down” by his behaviour.He also failed to turn up for training on Tuesday and Leicester boss Claude Puel now faces the difficult task of reintegrating him into the squad.
Michael Owen's tweet about Mahrez causes a stir
As you can probably imagine, there has been a lot of debate about Mahrez on social media over the past 24 hours.
Former Premier League striker-turned-pundit Michael Owen posted a tweet about the winger a little earlier - and very few football fans agree with it.
“And so that madness begins!!!” Owen tweeted, literally minutes after it was revealed that Man City had ended their pursuit of the player. “Leicester valuing Mahrez at around 95m? Top player but I’d snap Man City’s hand off at around 60m.”
Even in today’s market, Michael, and with literally a few hours to go before the transfer window closes?
Football fans totally disagree
Here’s how bemused football fans have been reacting…
Spot on
They’re all dead right.
Leicester would have no time to sign a replacement for Mahrez if they cashed in on the player this evening.
With the staggering amounts of money swirling around in the Premier League at the moment, a £60 million offer for Mahrez - a terrific player capable of winning matches - is clearly too low.
It might sound strange but that’s just the way football is at the moment.
Do you agree with Michael Owen - or is he talking rubbish? Have your say by leaving a comment below.