Riyad Mahrez reveals how Leicester’s EPL title triumph opened door to elite clubs

Algerian star Riyad Mahrez has opened up about key moments in his career, revealing how close he came to major moves before his rise to global stardom with Leicester City.

Speaking on the “Kora Break” programme, the Al-Ahli Saudi winger shared behind-the-scenes details about his journey from France to the Premier League and the major clubs that later showed interest in him.

Leicester Discovery Came by Surprise

Mahrez recalled that his move to Leicester almost never happened, explaining that the club initially came to scout another player before noticing him instead.

“Leicester City didn’t want to sign me. The scout came to watch another player, but when he saw me, he asked: Who is this player?” he said.

He added that Leicester tracked him for a year before finally making an official offer, although he initially resisted a move to England as he preferred staying in France and fulfilling his dream of playing for Olympique Marseille.

Nearly Staying in France

The Algerian winger admitted he was not immediately convinced by the move, even switching off his phone for several days when Leicester first approached him.

“I turned off my phone for 10 days and rejected Leicester at the time,” he said, before revealing that his agent eventually convinced him after explaining the club’s ambition and position at the time.

Contract Talks and Sudden Decision

Mahrez also explained that financial terms were not the only factor in his decision, noting that he negotiated certain aspects of the deal before eventually accepting.

“It wasn’t entirely about money, but I wanted this number, and I was surprised that they immediately agreed and said: Just come!” he stated.

He added that feeling strongly wanted by the club played a major role in changing his mind, eventually leading him to accept the move after even researching Leicester City online.

Premier League Glory Changed Everything

Mahrez went on to reveal that Leicester’s historic Premier League title win opened the door to interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

He confirmed that after the triumph, he was close to joining Arsenal and also held discussions with several major teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United.

Blocked Move After Title Success

Despite the widespread interest, Mahrez explained that Leicester’s high valuation at the time prevented a transfer, as the club demanded significant fees during an era when transfer prices were still lower than today.

He noted that his rise came just before the dramatic inflation of the transfer market following Neymar’s record move to Paris Saint-Germain, which reshaped football economics.