Leicester City: Mahrez signs new contract until 2020
By Jake Cursley
Despite being linked to London giants Arsenal and Chelsea, PFA Player of The Year Riyad Mahrez has signed a new deal with Leicester City until 2020.
It’s been a summer of speculation for Riyad Mahrez after teammate Jamie Vardy turned down a £140,000 per week move to Arsenal after his clause was triggered just before the Euros.
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Mahrez however had no clause and with Arsenal reportedly ready to bid up to £40m for his services, he has shot down speculators by signing a brand new deal worth up to £110,000 per week.
The Algerian superstar scored 17 goals and assisted 11 before being crowed PFA Player of The Year, topping his odds defying season with Leicester City as they won the title.
Having signed from Le Havre in the French Ligue 2 in the 2014 January window, the 25 year old has already seen himself because a foxes legend in the short 2 and a half years he’s been playing his football in the East Midlands.
However he’s not the only player for Leicester City to sign a new deal this summer.
Captain Wes Morgan also signed a brand new contract along with Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy, Andy King and Ben Chilwell.
Kasper Schmeichel commented on the commitment of the Leicester City side that won the league last season, stating that they show the drive and hunger to push on for more success, not just settle for the Premier League title.
This drive is what has spurred teammates Jamie Vardy and now Riyad Mahrez to sign new deals and do what most players in their position rarely do, say no to the ‘top 4’.
In Leicester City’s official statement they said:
"Leicester City Football Club is delighted to announce that Riyad Mahrez has signed a new contract, committing his future to the Foxes until June, 2020."
"The reigning PFA Players’ Player of the Year signs new terms after playing a starring role in City’s unforgettable Premier League title triumph last season – the latest stage of a remarkable journey for the 25-year-old Algerian in Leicester City colours."
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The news of Mahrez signing a new contract gives hope to other smaller clubs around the world, perhaps with hard work and perseverance, you can outmuscle the big clubs, win titles and keep your team intact, despite the amount of money the bigger clubs have to throw around.