Riyad Mahrez’s goals and assists this season have led to 30 points and he was named PFA Player of the Year.
LEICESTER CITY, United Kingdom, Aug 17- Riyad Mahrez has admitted he could leave Leicester if “two or three” of the world’s leading clubs come calling.
The 25-year-old winger was voted the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year after playing a major role in Leicester’s memorable Premier League title-winning campaign.
He has since been reportedly linked with a move to Arsenal, but contrary to reports in France, Sky sources understand the Gunners have not made a Sh4bn offer for him.
Reports in the national press have also linked Real Madrid and Barcelona with moves for Mahrez and the Algeria international concedes he could be tempted by a move away from the King Power Stadium.
“When there is a Brazilian who is lighting things up, he is at Real Madrid before you know it! For us, it is a little harder, we have to do more,” Mahrez told France Football.
“It (the Premier League) is a super league and I would like to stay here as long as possible. But now there are two or three clubs in the world that if they come for me it definitely makes you think, if you understand what I am trying to say.”
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insisted last week there had been no approaches for Mahrez and expected his star man to remain with the club.
The Italian has previously warned Mahrez he risks ending up on the bench if he decides to leave Leicester before the close of the summer transfer.
Mahrez started, and scored, in Leicester’s opening match of the season on Saturday as they begun the defence of their Premier League title with a 2-1 defeat away at newly-promoted Hull.
Following the loss at the KCOM Stadium, Mahrez admitted Leicester face a near impossible task of retaining their league crown.
“We know that Leicester will not win the league again. We are not Manchester United or Chelsea,” he said.
“But success would look like becoming part of the cohort of solid clubs in the Premier League, consistently.
“You are always having to prove yourself. Now, people are expecting things from us. And we’ll have to respond because nobody will do us any favours.”
