FREE MAHREZ: PFA steps in to resolve Riyad Mahrez issue

The Professional Footballers’ Association has stepped in to help resolve the Riyad Mahrez saga at Leicester City.

Leicester are yet to respond to the PFA’s offer, though if the issue continues to haunt those in and around the King Power Stadium, they may well involve a third party to finally bring about an end with a solution that suits all the parties.

The situation has perhaps got worse than Leicester City would have ever thought. They got away with blocking Riyad Mahrez’s move to AS Roma in the summer after rejecting three bids, and the Algerian’s response to that was an excellent run of form in the 2017/18 campaign.

The 26-year old has managed nine goals and as many assists in 27 appearances across all competitions, playing a leading role in City’s rise to eighth position in the Premier League table. Having given his all despite Leicester City’s efforts to block his transfer, the Foxes may have hoped for a similar response this time around, too. They should have known better.

You can’t really put all the blame on Riyad Mahrez for what he has done in the recent week or so. Any player who holds the calibre that he does would want to be at a bigger and better club, and in his case, it was Pep Guardiola-managed Manchester City that was ready to have him on board.

Will the chance come to him again? It’s hard to tell at the moment, as the biggest reason why the Citizens wanted him was Leroy Sane’s injury right after Gabriel Jesus was sidelined for a long time.

Next: Leicester City rebel Riyad Mahrez branded a “big baby”

As and when the league leaders have the duo back, they may not want to spend that much on Mahrez anymore, with a lot more options available in the summer. Clearly, another winger may not be priority.