More Riyad Mahrez talks held with Leicester City as Manchester City try to get the deal done

Manchester City have held further talks with Leicester City over a £60 million move for Riyad Mahrez, as the Citizens try to get the deal done as soon as possible.

Negotiations have been ongoing for quite some time, but an agreement is yet to be reached between the two clubs. However, Pep Guardiola doesn’t want the discussions to drag on for a long time, which could see the deal finally go through.

After six months of disturbing speculation, even Leicester City would be eager to see the transfer completed, so they can target the 27-year old’s replacement and move on.

Norwich City’s James Maddison, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, free agent Hatem Ben Arfa, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Thorgan Hazard and Lazio’s Felipe Anderson have all been touted as Mahrez’s replacements, though there’s nothing concrete to suggest that the Foxes are genuinely interested in anyone of those barring Grealish.

Sky Sports, generally the most reliable, recently reported that Leicester are considering a bid for Grealish. It has since, however, emerged that the Villans would only listen to offers in the region of £40 million, and that’s where the problem might be.

The 22-year old may as well be worth every penny of the £40 million that Leicester City will pay for him, but he does represent a risk in that he doesn’t guarantee as many direct contributions to goal as Riyad Mahrez.

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There’s every chance that it could change, but given that he is different to the Algerian winger in more ways than one, City may not see too many goals from him and may have to look to other players for that. Regardless, Grealish would be an excellent signing.