Riyad Mahrez Priced Out By Leicester Before Barcelona, Real Madrid And United Movenewsline24

Riyad Mahrez revealed that Leicester City blocked moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United by demanding huge fees. The winger felt major chances passed by before the eventual Manchester City deal, as Leicester held firm on valuations and Mahrez did not have a release clause that could have forced a transfer.

Mahrez said the situation especially hurt when elite clubs were interested at the peak of form. “My dream was to play for Barcelona with Guardiola and [Lionel] Messi”. The Algeria star explained that this wish never came close, because Leicester’s stance on his price ruled out realistic talks with those clubs.

Detailing that period, Mahrez described several discussions with leading teams. “I spoke with many teams before going to Man City. I spoke with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and United,but Leicester were asking for very high sums of money to let me go,and I didn’t have a release clause, so I couldn’t go to those teams.” Mahrez recounted the story to Koora Break.

The winger believed contract details made the difference, and compared his deal with a former team-mate. “[N’Golo] Kante was smarter to include a 30mclause in his contract to go to Chelsea, while I had rejected it, which forced me to stay two more years at Leicester,” he said. Mahrez felt those extra seasons changed his career path.

Before any transfer debate, Mahrez had already delivered a historic campaign with Leicester City. During the 2015-16 Premier League season, Mahrez recorded 17 goals and 11 assists in 37 matches. Only Jamie Vardy, with 30 direct goal contributions, produced more for Leicester as Claudio Ranieri’s team secured the title against heavy odds.

Mahrez then remained at Leicester for two further seasons, until Manchester City agreed a reported 60m fee. That figure was then a record for an African player. At City, Mahrez played 236 games in all competitions, scoring 78 goals and supplying 56 assists, under Pep Guardiola’s management.

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Those numbers came alongside regular silverware. With Manchester City, Mahrez collected four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and three EFL Cups. The winger also lifted the Champions League once before moving to Al-Ahli in 2023, ending a trophy-filled spell in English football that followed the stalled interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Mahrez also described how the final Manchester City move unfolded after one failed attempt. “Guardiola approached me and said, ‘I’d really like you to be with me, you’re an incredible player and you’d fit right in with my style of play. In January [2018], City wanted me and made four offers. I called the Leicester owner to try and convince him to accept them, but he wouldn’t answer and refused to sell me. City told me, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll sign you in the summer,’ and sure enough, they did sign me in the summer.” Mahrez later left England with regret about missed chances, but with major trophies from both Leicester and City.