Foxes in the market: Tottenham Hotspur join the race for Leicester City wantaway

Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race for Riyad Mahrez, according to the Evening Standard.

The North Londoners are the latest in the long line of clubs reportedly interested in the signature of Mahrez, who himself is quite eager to sign, whoever it may be for.

The only thing that stands in Mahrez and Tottenham’s way, however, is City’s Brobdingnagian price tag, which currently stands at a mind-boggling £50 million. Back in the day, you could have got a few Ronaldinho Gauchos, loads of Thierry Henrys, or a complete factory of Cristiano Ronaldos for that.

Safe to say, for a side that’s on a budget and can’t splash out the cash like Manchester City can on Kyle Walker, the Foxes’ valuation is way too much, and Mauricio Pochettino simply doesn’t want to pay it.

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Among the other parties craving for the Algerian are Serie A’s AS Roma, who thought it wise to make a scanty £21 million offer, which was rightly rejected by Leicester City. After all, Mahrez is no Leonardo Bonucci, who you can get for next to nothing. Surely, the Italian’s is the blag of the century.

So it does remain to be seen if Mahrez will depart (or be able to) this summer at all. The 26-year old scored in Leicester City’s penalty shootout win over West Bromwich Albion the other day to prove that releasing statements isn’t all he is capable of – he can do much, much more. That’s exactly why Craig Shakespeare wants him to stay. He said:

"“We want him to stay,” Shakespeare told reporters. “I would like him to stay, as manager.“As I say, he has stated his case clearly but, while he is here, I need that full commitment.”"

The wantaway star is expected to be in action again – possibly for the last time in a Leicester shirt – as Craig Shakespeare’s side take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Premier League Asia Trophy final. Remember, Klopp won’t be watching if it goes to penalties.