LEICESTER CITY BOSS Craig Shakespeare confirmed on Friday that the club had turned down an offer from Italian side AS Roma for winger Riyad Mahrez.
The Paris-born Algeria forward is likely to command a fee of around €55 million, with Roma’s offer believed to be some way short of that figure.
“The bid was politely declined because it was a low offer,” said Shakespeare.
“I don’t know what it was and I don’t get involved.”
Mahrez, who indicated that he wanted to leave the club at the end of last season, was a key figure for the Foxes on their remarkable run to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, scoring 17 goals and making 10 assists, which earned him the PFA Player of the Year award for 2016.
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Despite not being as prolific last season, the 26-year-old still chipped in with 10 goals in 48 appearances as Leicester secured a 12th-placed finish and a Champions League quarter-final spot.
Mahrez joined the East Midlands outfit from French side Le Havre in 2014.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is on the verge of a move to Roma, Blues boss Pep Guardiola said earlier.
The Serbia international was left out of the side beaten by Manchester United in the Houston friendly on Thursday, and former Barcelona boss Guardiola says he won’t stand in Kolarov’s way after he expressed a desire to leave.
“I don’t like working with people who don’t want to stay. He has a big chance to go to Roma,” confirmed the City manager.
“He has said he wants to leave. I wish him all the best.”
Kolarov has been a key component of City’s success since joining the club from Roma’s fierce rivals Lazio in 2010 for €17.8 million, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
The 31-year-old is set to join the mass exodus of full-backs in the close season at Etihad Stadium, with Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta having all left the club.
Kyle Walker has since been signed from Tottenham, while a deal for Real Madrid right-back Danilo is understood to be close.
Guardiola, though, has endured some setbacks in his pursuit of full-backs this summer having missed out on Dani Alves who opted for PSG, while a bid for Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy was rejected.
'The bid for Mahrez was politely declined': Roma look to swoop for Premier League duo
LEICESTER CITY BOSS Craig Shakespeare confirmed on Friday that the club had turned down an offer from Italian side AS Roma for winger Riyad Mahrez.
The Paris-born Algeria forward is likely to command a fee of around €55 million, with Roma’s offer believed to be some way short of that figure.
“The bid was politely declined because it was a low offer,” said Shakespeare.
“I don’t know what it was and I don’t get involved.”
Mahrez, who indicated that he wanted to leave the club at the end of last season, was a key figure for the Foxes on their remarkable run to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, scoring 17 goals and making 10 assists, which earned him the PFA Player of the Year award for 2016.
Despite not being as prolific last season, the 26-year-old still chipped in with 10 goals in 48 appearances as Leicester secured a 12th-placed finish and a Champions League quarter-final spot.
Mahrez joined the East Midlands outfit from French side Le Havre in 2014.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is on the verge of a move to Roma, Blues boss Pep Guardiola said earlier.
The Serbia international was left out of the side beaten by Manchester United in the Houston friendly on Thursday, and former Barcelona boss Guardiola says he won’t stand in Kolarov’s way after he expressed a desire to leave.
“I don’t like working with people who don’t want to stay. He has a big chance to go to Roma,” confirmed the City manager.
“He has said he wants to leave. I wish him all the best.”
Kolarov has been a key component of City’s success since joining the club from Roma’s fierce rivals Lazio in 2010 for €17.8 million, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
The 31-year-old is set to join the mass exodus of full-backs in the close season at Etihad Stadium, with Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta having all left the club.
Kyle Walker has since been signed from Tottenham, while a deal for Real Madrid right-back Danilo is understood to be close.
Guardiola, though, has endured some setbacks in his pursuit of full-backs this summer having missed out on Dani Alves who opted for PSG, while a bid for Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy was rejected.
© – AFP, 2017
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