Leicester City Pick Replacement If They Sell Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez could be the big name transfer that comes from almost nowhere on deadline day to grab the headlines. Leicester City have identified who they'd like to replace the Algerian if he moves.

Just when we thought we knew all the big transfers that were going to get done in this mad window along come Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side suddenly made a bid for Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez yesterday.

In fact the Premier League leaders reportedly made two bids for Mahrez yesterday, the second one worth a reported £55 million, just hours after breaking their transfer record by signing Aymeric Laporte in defence.

After numerous clubs have tried to sign Mahrez now could be the moment he leaves.. Image: PA Images

According to the reports the Foxes want around £90 million if they're to let the former PFA Player of the Year go today but Mahrez has handed in a transfer request and is likely to refuse to play in their match against Everton tonight to force a move.

Should the club relent and let him go then Claude Puel will need to replace Mahrez and according to the Daily Mail they have picked Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend as a replacement.

Could Townsend move on deadline day? Image: PA Images.

Of course the problem is that Palace are still fighting a relegation battle and the England winger's form under Roy Hodgson has been part of their recent upturn in fortunes, despite only scoring one goal.

There's no price mentioned for the transfer but Palace would likely want a decent sum and they'd also want any deal to be done with enough time for them to get a replacement, a problem with trying to do transfers so late.

City are repeating the issues they had with the Alexis Sanchez deal last summer. They moved for the then Arsenal forward on the last day for £60 million but the Gunners were spooked that they wouldn't get a replacement in so pulled the deal.

_{Wasn't Sanchez meant to go to City? Check out the other transfers that never happened XI:}

Mahrez would be a replacement for missing out on Sanchez and would likely go straight into their starting line up with Leroy Sane out for six to seven weeks.

Despite having two and a half years left on his current deal it's likely that the 26 year old would want to leave for the Etihad stadium.

Can City get it done in time?

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City, Premier League, Crystal Palace

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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