Liverpool are in the running to sign Riyad Mahrez ahead of London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal according to a report from the Daily Mail (h/t Metro).

Metro carries the report which claims that we want to bring in the Algerian winger from Leicester City as the winger has already put in a transfer request.

Mahrez didn’t have the greatest of seasons last time around as he chipped in with 10 goals but was the PFA Player of the Year when the Foxes defied the odds and picked up the Premier League title.

The on-and-off performances of the Foxes seem to have taken a toll but he was also in the news for joining Arsenal at the start of last season, however, Mahrez decided to stay put at the King Power Stadium for one more season.

Things didn’t go according to plan and the Algerian did open up earlier this month about his future lying elsewhere.

“The chairman and I agreed that I would stay another year at the club and that he would let me leave at the end of the season.

“I think it would be the right time for me to leave, I have experienced everything at this football club.

“So for me, it would be the right time to leave. The club and I are on the same page regarding my future so we’ll see.”

A battle brewing for the signature of Mahrez

When the Algerian is on form, he is one of the best in the Premier League and that is one reason why Chelsea (Daily Express) and Arsenal (Metro) are interested in the 26-year-old. Reports suggest that any team wanting to sign the player have to pay up to £50 million (Daily Express), which is a bit steep considering his poor season last time around.

The Metro report also claims that Spanish giants Barcelona want to sign the Algerian. We need someone who can outfox defences and that too constantly. Signing Mahrez at the start of last season would have made more sense than getting him now but if he is available for around £20 million, it would not be a bad deal for us.

However, with Mohamed Salah’s deal imminent, signing Mahrez wouldn’t make sense as Sadio Mane and Salah would be our first choice wingers ahead of the upcoming season.

Mahrez is leaving Leicester, that does seem a given, and in all probability, he will not be joining us.