Riyad Mahrez has told Leicester City he wants to leave the club this summer amid interest from a number of clubs, including Tottenham.
In a statement, the Algerian said: “Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on.
“I had a good discussion with the chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.
“However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience.
“I’ve always enjoyed a good relationship with the chairman and everyone at the club, and I hope I have been able to repay the faith shown to me by my performances and commitment on the pitch during my time here.
“I’ve had the four best seasons of my career at Leicester and have loved every moment. I feel immense pride to have been a part of what we have achieved during my time at the club, culminating in becoming Premier League champions.
“The relationship I share with the club and our amazing fans is something I will treasure forever and I truly hope they will understand and respect my decision.”
Here’s how Spurs fans reacted on Twitter.
Sure a lot of spurs fans will have Mahrez on their wish lists but he's been found out this season. Stepover > cuts in > shoots > blocked.
— Alan (@LaptopManager_) May 30, 2017
For somebody who never believes a word of transfer speculation, I'm so excited for Spurs to sign Riyad Mahrez. #HeWasBornToPlayForSpurs
— JT (@JamesTaylorAG) May 30, 2017
Mahrez would be lovely. Would prefer him over Barkley. (I know different positions) but at Spurs the 3 behind Kane all change.
— TottenhamTalk (@tottenhamtalk1) May 30, 2017
Sissoko for Mahrez, eh Leicester?
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) May 30, 2017
Would love Mahrez at Spurs but will probably end up in Manchester
— Jorge (@TottenhamSpur) May 30, 2017
#mahrez to #THFC ? Nah thanks, good player but not what we want or need!
— Dave B (@daveortrigger) May 30, 2017
Mahrez: lacklustre year but few could doubt his class & decisiveness. If he's willing to work, he could thrive under Pochettino. #thfc #COYS
— Greg Sampson (@gsampson_sports) May 30, 2017
Let's not get crazy, of course we'd take Mahrez at Spurs..but he's far from ideal #THFC #COYS
— RuckerHaringey (@RuckerHaringey) May 30, 2017
I don't want Riyad Mahrez at Spurs. Poor attitude and seems like a one hit wonder. He won't take the club to the next level. #COYS
— Cappy (@Cappy20) May 30, 2017
