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Top three: Potential Riyad Mahrez replacements Leicester City may consider

By Harneet Singh Sethi

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Leicester City and Sheffield United at The King Power Stadium on February 16, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Leicester City and Sheffield United at The King Power Stadium on February 16, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – JULY 30: Hatem Ben Arfa
CARSON, CA – JULY 30: Hatem Ben Arfa /

Hatem Ben Arfa

Possibility: 8/10

Since Claude Puel’s appointment at Leicester City, there has barely been a day when Hatem Ben Arfa hasn’t been linked with a move to the East Midlands. The 30-year old winger had his best days at OGC Nice under the Frenchman, scoring 18 goals and assisting seven in 2015/16 as Nice finished fourth in Ligue 1.

Arfa moved to Paris Saint-Germain next season and has hardly been seen on the pitch thereafter. The former Hull City player is yet to feature for Unai Emery’s side this season, with the manager making it clear that there’s no possibility of him playing at the Parc des Princes anymore. Well, that’s all you would want to hear if you’re chasing a player, yes? The deal is not that simple, though.

Related Story: Leicester City and the EFL reach agreement to settle dispute

For Ben Arfa’s transfer to go through, Paris Saint-Germain would first have to “end his contract” and pay him €6 million (a year’s salary), or else, he won’t leave at all and let his contract run down. The French giants don’t want to pay a price for his exit, and he doesn’t want to leave for free.

Regardless, with the club and the player wanting to get rid of each other, Leicester City’s strong interest may just prove to be decisive.