Mahrez Wants to Talk to Roma

The Riyad Mahrez-to-Roma saga has taken another stunning and dramatic turn. Psyche! Nah, it’s the same old story, updates and progress are moving at a snail’s pace. After submitting another bid for Mahrez—which may or may not have simply been the official version of last week’s rumor—the story has shifted to Mahrez himself.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Mahrez was rather succinct and to the point:

I know Roma came in, but nothing was accepted so there is little I can do. They are a great club who I would like to talk to but I can't until Leicester accept a deal. Leicester know my thoughts, but I will continue to give my best for the club as I always have.

Clearly, it is flattering whenever you get linked with any big clubs, but as it stands, I have not talked to anyone as nobody has had a bid accepted but we nearly have a month left of the transfer window so we will see what happen.

Most of these transfer rumors—even in this day and age of media saturation—are so cloak and dagger, it’s a bit refreshing to see Mahrez come right out and speak to this rumor, rather than issuing back channel denials through his agent or his mom or something (We’re looking at you, Rabiot).

Of course, Mahrez’s candor could simply be his way of putting the screws to Leicester to force his way out, the Foxes €55 million valuation be damned. And this all comes against the backdrop of a reported self-imposed August 11th deadline; the breaking point for Monchi’s dogged chase of the 26-year-old winger.

So let’s hope Mahrez gets his wish to talk, lest we endure more of these updates.