Leicester City manager Claude Puel has said that winger Riyad Mahrez could demand a transfer fee in excess of £100 million should he leave the club during the summer transfer window.
Mahrez has been linked with a move to both Liverpool and Arsenal this month as both clubs look for respective replacements for Philippe Coutinho and seemingly Alexis Sanchez.
Leicester are reluctant to sell their prized winger and have previously said that they would be unwilling to part ways with the Algerian international unless they receive a ‘substantial fee’.
Speaking ahead of the club’s pre-match press conference for Tuesday’s FA Cup third round replay with Fleetwood Town, Puel estimated that fee to be in excess of £100 million.
“Perhaps; maybe in the summer he will cost even more than £100m,” Puel said when asked if Mahrez would cost £100 million.
“It’s just rumours, noise about him. We can see Riyad smile, enjoying his football, enjoying to play with his team-mates.
“After the training session he continues to play, I wanted him to stay rested, but it’s perfect.”
Former Foxes midfielder Robbie Savage evaluated Mahrez at £75 million based on some of the other fees demanaded by Premier League clubs.
“I’d say Mahrez is worth £75m,” Savage told Radio 5 Live on Saturday.
“[Virgil] Van Dijk has gone for £75m and he’s a defender. Mahrez was PFA Player of the Year two years ago and he’s won the Premier League so why is he not worth £75m?
“The hardest thing to do is to create chances and score goals in the league.”
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