Mourinho Requests United Board To Sign Premier League Winger
Reuters / Darren Staples
Leicester City star player Riyad Mahrez has been a source of interest for several top European clubs this summer, with Manchester United now reportedly linked.
The winger has featured for Leicester’s all three matches in the Premier League so far, and with just a day to go for the transfer window to shut down, it looks interesting whether any club will manage to prise him away.
According to a report in SFR Sport, United manager Jose Mourinho is keen to bring the player to Old Trafford, but the club representatives are not convinced by the same.
Mourinho wanted an out-and-out winger this summer, and saw advancements for Ivan Perisic get turned down by Inter Milan. There was an interest in Gareth Bale, but Real had no intention of selling their star asset. The Portuguese is still keen to add a top player for that position, although it is highly unlikely that Mahrez will arrive.
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Mahrez saw the Foxes turn down a host of bids from Italian club Roma earlier in the summer, despite having made it clear that he wants a bigger challenge.
Leicester want a fee that is somewhere around the £40m mark, and clubs will have to shell that much money to get his services. Mourinho will have to anyhow convince his board to give a green light for the Mahrez deal.
Reuters / John Sibley
Besides United, fellow rivals Arsenal are said to be keen on the player as well. Mahrez could join Arsenal, who are set to lose Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea, and also run the risk of losing Alexis Sanchez, who is courted by Manchester City. Wenger could use the funds of Chamberlain for Mahrez, who is a proven asset in the Premier League.
The Foxes’ star led his side to a historic Premier League title win in 2015-16, and has played 122 games across all competitions since the club’s promotion to England’s top tier in 2014. In this period, he has scored 32 goals for the side, and Leicester want to keep hold of their key player in order to make an impact this season.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.