Riyad Mahrez is facing a £200,000 fine by Leicester City for missing training. The Algerian saw a move to Manchester City fail to materialise as the Foxes continued to refuse to sell their star winger.
According to the Mirror, Mahrez has missed four days of training and is on the verge of going AWOL. The newspaper reports Leicester do not know where Mahrez is, and it is causing problems as the club must inform FA drug testers.
Leicester are set to dock Mahrez two weeks wages which will amount to £200,000.
Mahrez missed training ahead of Leicester’s midweek game against Everton. Leicester’s coaching staff had to scramble after he didn’t show up for the club’s Premier League game. In the end, the club had to change tactics.
Manchester City had reportedly offered £65 million to £70 million to Leicester for Mahrez. However, the club did not bow to the pressure of the bid. According to an unnamed friend of Mahrez’s, who spoke with the Mirror, the creative midfielder is depressed over the move not going through.
Leicester were holding out for £80m. Mahrez has two and half years left on his current contract. With the fee Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk (£75m), Leicester believed Mahrez was worth far more than Manchester City’s offer.
Mahrez has been linked with moves away from Leicester in the last two transfer windows. However, Leicester have not allowed him to leave. It has caused the Algerian to be incredibly frustrated despite his excellent form.
Sky Sports spoke to the friend of Mahrez’s who proclaimed the player is not in a positive mental state since the deal did not go through.
“Riyad is very depressed at what has happened over the past few days,” the friend told Sky Sports News.
“He doesn’t understand Leicester’s point of view. This is the fourth transfer window that Leicester have said he can leave.
“Leicester would have made £59m profit on the player. He’s given his all for Leicester so he can leave in this window. Joining Man City to work with Pep Guardiola would have been a dream for him. He still hopes to do it.”
Leicester play Swansea at the weekend and Mahrez is not expected to play.
Is Riyad Mahrez right to go AWOL for not getting his move to Manchester City? Have your say.
