Olivier Giroud / AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF
Leicester City star, Riyad Mahrez has handed in a transfer request amid interest from Manchester City.
The Premier League leaders have reportedly offered £60million in attempt to sign the playmaker before the January transfer window closes.
Pep Guardiola is said to be keen on signing an attacking player before today’s 11pm deadline, with City stars Gabriel Jesus and now Leroy Sane on the sidelines with injury.
It is claimed the Foxes are demanding closer to £90m to put Man City off the scent of their star man.
However, Mahrez has submitted a formal transfer request in a bid to force through a late move to the Etihad Stadium.
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It’s the second time in six months the Algerian international has asked to leave the former Premier League champions, having attempted to depart the club in the summer transfer window amid interest from Roma.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have made a breakthrough in talks with Arsenal and agreed to pay £18m for Olivier Giroud, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Antonio Conte’s side agreed a £20m deal earlier this week before taking their bid off the table in order to drive the price down.
Arsenal, unsurprisingly unimpressed with Chelsea’s move, threatened to walk away from negotiations, but have now agreed to Giroud’s sale to Chelsea.
Giroud’s impending arrival at Chelsea will now almost certainly see Michy Batshuayi leave to join Borussia Dortmund and accelerate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal.
The Gabon international is currently in London after jetting in from Germany to undergo his medical with Arsenal but will only be able to join Arsene Wenger’s side if Dortmund lands a replacement before today’s deadline.
However, news that Chelsea have finally agreed a fee with Arsenal for Giroud should allow the transfer to proceed into the final stages as all three clubs are poised to trade strikers.
Source: G Sport
