Manchester City transfer news: Riyad Mahrez on verge of £60m move from Leicester City

City had a bid rejected for Mahrez in January but are coming close to getting their man

Manchester City are edging closer to completing the signing of long-term target Riyad Mahrez.

The 2017/18 Premier League champions have been keen admirers of Mahrez and are finally getting close to bringing him to Manchester after a failed attempt in January, it is understood.

No deal has been struck between the two clubs but a £60m fee is thought to be enough to convince Leicester to sell.

Manchester City have been long-term admirer of Riyad Mahrez (Getty)

Mahrez was given additional time off after representing Algeria in international friendlies in June and will is due to join Leicester’s pre-season training next week. However, reports suggest that the deal with City could go through before the end of the week.

The 27-year-old missed more than a week of training in February after a potential deadline day move from Leicester to Pep Guardiola’s side fell through.

Mahrez submitted a transfer request in January but later withdrew it in May after Leicester rejected an offer of £50m as well as young winger Patrick Roberts, with the Midlands side holding firm on their £80m demands.

Last summer Mahrez was also the subject of interest from abroad, as Roma had three bids rejected for the 2015/16 Premier League winner after he asked to leave.

Leicester signed Mahrez from Le Havre for just £400,000 in 2014 and he has since made 179 appearances, scoring 48 times, as well as starring in their title winning season and playing a major role in their Champions League run in 2016/17.

One of the reasons Leicester refused to sell him in January was because it would leave them too little time to find a suitable replacement, but now have time to identify reinforcements and have already signed attacking midfielder James Maddison from Norwich for £24m.

Leicester manager Claude Puel praised Mahrez’s attitude when he returned after missing two Premier League matches in February, but might be without him next season.

“Riyad reintegrated quickly and shows a great attitude,” the Leicester manager said in March. “His absence hurt us a bit, with results and confidence, but we are pleased to have him back because he is a top player.”