SKY SPORTS this morning suggested Manchester United could sign Riyad Mahrez today.
Mahrez has been given permission to leave the Algeria squad and return to Europe to “formalise his transfer to his new club”, the Algerian Football Federation announced.
He has expressed a desire to leave the King Power Stadium and has been linked with a host of clubs over the summer, with Roma having already had three bids rejected for the 26-year-old, the third being £32million.
The likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in Mahrez, who was PFA Player of the Year in 2016 after playing a key role in Leicester’s shock Premier League title win that season.
And Sky Sports seemed to tentatively suggest Manchester United are in for him too.
One of the show’s presenters said this morning: “Man United wanted one more deal could he now go for Mahrez.”
They then showed footage of Mahrez talking to Pogba on the pitch after their clash on Saturday.
The presenter added: “There was chat between Mahrez and Pogba on Saturday.
“Pogba was seen talking to Mahrez. Was he saying ‘come to Old Trafford’? We might find out today.”
But it seemed to go down badly on Twitter.
One fan rushed to shoot it down and tweeted Sky Sports News: “clutching at straws #agentpogba.”
Mahrez has been with the Algeria squad preparing for their upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header with Zambia, but the FAF has given him the green light to resolve his club future before the transfer deadline.
A statement on www.faf.dz read: “Leicester City’s Algerian international Riyad Mahrez, who is currently with the national team in Sidi Moussa to prepare for the double confrontation against Zambia for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, was authorised by the national coach Lucas Alcaraz and the Algerian Football Federation to make an express trip to Europe to formalise on Thursday his transfer to his new club.
“The national team will fly without him on Thursday morning to Lusaka to face Zambia on Saturday.”
Mahrez has played all three of Leicester’s Premier League fixtures this season.
Source:www.express.co.uk