Leicester set to hit wantaway star Mahrez with hefty fine

Leicester are set to fine wantaway star Riyad Mahrez with a £200,000 fine after failing to return to training in the wake of his failed move to Manchester City, claims The Daily Telegraph.

Mahrez emerged as a shock transfer target for City on deadline day but Pep Guardiola’s side ended up pulling the plug on a deal after Leicester demanded a package worth £95m.

The Premier League leaders were reportedly only willing to pay as much as £60m for the Algeria international and Mahrez even went on strike and handed in a transfer request in order to force through a move.

Mahrez has missed training the last two days and failed to report to a team meeting on Wednesday prior to Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Everton and now the Foxes are seriously considering fining their star man.

Claude Puel insisted after Wednesday’s defeat that the team would welcome Mahrez back with open arms but the Algerian has complicated matters in the last 48 hours by refusing to train.

Mahrez’s behaviour could land himself a huge £200,000 fine by the club, but that will do little to resolve his long-term future at the club.

The 26-year-old, who was desperate to leave in the summer, has, to his credit, rediscovered his best form on the pitch this season and helped Claude Puel’s side consolidate a position in the top half of the Premier League.

In fact, Mahrez has already played a direct hand in more league goals this season (15) than he managed over the course of the last campaign (nine).