Rumour Mill: Tottenham Considering Mahrez Move?

According to Football.London, Tottenham are among the primary candidates, Arsenal and Roma, in the race to sign Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City this Summer.

Tottenham have been loosely linked with the 26 year old forward once or twice already this Summer, however it appears Spurs have so far made no approach for the want-away midfielder.

Despite this, Football.London reckons we shouldn’t rule out a Tottenham move for Mahrez just yet considering the lack of progress Spurs have made with their pursuit of Everton play-maker Ross Barkley.

Additionally, Foxes manager Craig Shakespeare wants Mahrez’s future dealt with by the 11th of August, so as not to disrupt with the club’s preparations for the new season, as reported by Italian outlet II Messaggero.

Recently, when asked on the current situation with the Algerian international, after Leicester’s involvement in the Asia Trophy, he replied:

“I think I was quoted as saying the other day that there had been no bids.”

“There was a bid from Roma, so I would like to put the record straight. I was told after the press conference. It was politely declined on the basis that it was a low offer. What it was dont ask me because I don’t know.”

“We dismissed it. I can’t speak for Roma so I don’t know what they will do. He is here as a Leicester player and until we know otherwise I expect him to perform at the level set. While he does that he will be considered for selection.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of these rumours. I’ve seen a lot of papers linking Spurs with Mahrez, and for the most part, I ignored them. But now they’re getting hard to ignore.

According to SkySources, Spurs will only be doing business for a number 10 player and a right-back, to restore the depth in that position after Walker left.

So, by that logic, you’d assume Spurs will pursue Barkley, not Mahrez. However, Mahrez could realistically provide the attacking depth we need, and at 26, he’s maybe on the brink of hitting his prime.

Although Barkley is younger and perhaps shows more promise, Mahrez has experience in the Premier League, with a winners medal and in the Champions League, topping their group and reaching the quarter-finals with Leicester last season.

Now, in addition to all that, Leicester would apparently be asking for £30-35 million for the attacker, according to Football.London. Compare that to the £50 million Everton are asking for and it’s a bargain.

We’d need to move fast, seeing as Roma have already launched a rejected bid and now that Shakespeare’s gone and put a deadline on any deal.

I’m actually leaning a bit towards Mahrez here, even though I know Poch could totally transform Barkley into 3 times the player he is at the moment. It’s a tough one.

What do you think of these rumours? Who would you rather? Barkley for £50 million, or Mahrez for £35?

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