Riyad Mahrez has made it clear he would consider moving to Real Madrid or Barcelona if they come calling.
The Algerian winger’s sparkling form last season helped Leicester to pull off their amazing Premier League title success and provoked interest from a number of clubs across Europe.
Leicester remain adamant the 25-year-old will remain at the club beyond this summer’s transfer window and although he confirmed he would like to stay in England for the foreseeable future, he added a warning note.
‘When there is a Brazilian who is lighting things up, he is at Real Madrid before you know it! For us, it is a little harder, we have to do more,’ he said.
‘It (the Premier League) is a super league and I would like to stay here as long as possible. But now there are two or three clubs in the world that if they come for me it definitely makes you think, if you understand what I am trying to say.’
Mahrez revealed that Lionel Messi had congratulated him on winning the title when he faced Barcelona in a pre-season game.
But the forward dismissed the chances of the Foxes repeating their extraordinary title victory. ‘We know that Leicester will not win the League again,’ he said. ‘We are not Manchester United or Chelsea.
‘But success would look like becoming part of the cohort of solid clubs in the Premier League, consistently. You are always having to prove yourself. Now, people are expecting things from us. And we’ll have to respond because nobody will do us any favours.’
Mahrez has admitted he must adapt his game to deal with the ‘little plans’ constructed by opponents this season if he is to reproduce the form that saw him named PFA Player of the Year. He feels he has already noticed defenders closing him down quicker than in Leicester’s title-winning campaign but vowed to improve his touch, power and consistency.
Mahrez scored 17 Premier League goals and provided 11 assists last season, but has struggled to impose himself during pre-season and in the opening-day defeat at Hull, even though he converted a penalty.
COMMENTS