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Transfers: Mahrez and Madrid star deals could be off

By Mubangizi Humphrey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Riyad Mahrez of Leiccester City elbrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Riyad Mahrez of Leiccester City elbrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City’s pursuit of  Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is in danger of failing after the Foxes increased their valuation of the player.

When Leroy Sane picked up an injury in January, Man City raided Leicester and tried to sign star player Mahrez as a replacement for the injured German. The Foxes demanded that City play a whopping £95m, a figure City considered much higher than their £65m valuation of the player and pulled the plug on the deal.

Mahrez was left angered by Leicester stance and went on strike, putting any future move at risk with claims that his behavior had discouraged Guardiola from going back in for him.

But it seems those claims couldn’t be further from the truth and Pep is back in for his man. Man City launched a £60m bid plus Patrick Roberts, an offer they thought would get the deal over the line. But Leicester City, in a repeat of the January saga, is digging its heels in and asking for more money.

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The Foxes are demanding that Man City play £75m plus Patrick Roberts, a deal that would be worth at least £90m if Roberts’ valuation is factored in. Man City are not happy with this stance and as they’ve shown in the last window, are prepared to walk away from the deal if Leicester do not lower their asking price.

No doubt Mahrez will be less than happy with the way the Leicester board have negotiated the deal. He withdrew his transfer request at the start of the window probably as a show of good faith to the Leicester City hierarchy but they seem determined to make his exit difficult.

It’s hard to see how keeping him will benefit the club and maybe once the players return to training, Mahrez, the players or Claude Puel will force the board to change their stance. But until then, we wait.

Elsewhere, Man City target Mateo Kovacic has been told that he will not be allowed to leave this summer. Since arriving from Inter Milan, the Croatian has struggled to break into the star-studded starting eleven at the Bernabeu and was hoping to secure a move away and get some first team football.

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But according to Cadena Cope, Kovacic has been informed that he is a key part of new manager Lopetegui’s plans and won’t be allowed to leave the club this summer. A technically gifted player, Kovacic is also a grafter and would have been a welcome addition to the team especially providing cover for the aging Silva.

We sit and wait ready for City to formally announce who will be the first signing ready for the title defence and the new season.

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