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Barcelona likely to snub Premier League star

By Rucker Haringey

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at London Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at London Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Riyad Mahrez’s dream move to Barcelona is in jeopardy

Barcelona have been quoted a price for Leicester City attacker Riyad Mahrez, but don’t expect the Premier League star to head to Spain. His mediocre form this season for the Foxes may cost him his dream move.

Reports from England claim that Leicester City are willing to sell the Algerian attacker for £40 million. That isn’t an outrageous sum for a club like Barcelona, but the La Liga giants are likely going to pass on Mahrez at that price. Barca officials have repeatedly insisted that they will be relatively frugal when it comes to this summer’s transfer market.

Of course, their feelings could change based on the identity of their next manager. If the club selects a big name like Massimiliano Allegri, the purse strings will need to be loosened this summer. That isn’t the most likely path at the moment though. Barcelona officials are leaning strongly on hiring a much more conservative replacement for Luis Enrique.

That likely means the club will limit themselves to minor roster changes this summer. If that’s the case, purchasing Mahrez for £40 million wouldn’t make a lot of sense. He’s a terrific talent, but it’s not as if he’s going to break into the club’s starting XI. Paying that kind of fee for an attacking option off the bench wouldn’t fit into the club’s summer transfer philosophy.

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Instead, look for Barcelona to spend their money on midfield and defensive additions this summer. The Catalan giants certainly will be on the prowl for a new right back to provide an upgrade over Sergi Roberto. That might not be as sexy as adding a goal scorer like Mahrez, but it would equal more points in next season’s La Liga title race.

Officials at Barca also understand they need to get younger, and more athletic in the midfield. Their precise targets will vary on the identity and tactics of their new manager, but expect to see at least one big name addition in the middle of the pitch. A prodigious two-way midfielder like Marco Verratti could drastically change the fortunes of the club against elite opposition next year.

Next: Barcelona and Arsenal considering shocking swap deal

Last summer, if Leicester were willing to sell Riyad Mahrez for £40 million quite a few European giants would have lined up to purchase him. Unfortunately for the Algerian star, his inconsistent season has likely cost him a chance to make his dream move to Barcelona.

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