I doubt it. The club doesn't appear to have made any comment. At the very least you'd expect them to put a statement on the website acknowledging his request. It looks like it's taken them by surprise.
Mahrez
- Thread starter Cambridge_fox
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I doubt it. The club doesn't appear to have made any comment. At the very least you'd expect them to put a statement on the website acknowledging his request. It looks like it's taken them by surprise.
Cambridge_fox
Active Member
Mixed feelings. Certainly the most gifted player I've seen play for us, as pretty much everyone else has said. This is the beginning of the end of the band of brothers. Let's see the true extent of rebuilding required. Expectations for next season duly down-graded.
Not sure how you've jumped from the club not having released what would be a largely pointless statement to it having taken them by surprise tbh.
Micky
Well-Known Member
I agree. I don't know what the club could have said? I expect Shakey and the team were well aware. Mahrez is just making everything clear and preventing rumours, whilst also making the big boys aware.
FIF
Well-Known Member
Considering what he did this season, him leaving should make us better next season by subtraction. Top half for sure.
If they knew he was going to release a statement like that you'd expect them to at least acknowledge it. I'm not saying they were taken by surprise by him wanting to leave, just that he issued a statement about it today.
Oh well, there you go. In terms of his statement, I do respect and understand his decision. Good luck for the future. But I cannot resist the temptation to refer to his words where he says "I wanted to stay for another season to help the club as best I could" (my emphasis) - these surely ring a little hollow. He didn't do his best this season. But anyway, thanks for the memories of your first 3 years here.
Exactly. He's making it clear that he wants clubs to come in for him.
I was responding to ThaiSweetChilli saying this means a deal has been done with a club. I think it means the opposite.
If a deal has already been done why would Mahrez make a statement saying he wants to leave?
I can think of only one reason. Because the club has asked him to. That way, they get to look like they're only selling him because he wants to go, and not because they just want the money. The club likes to control the news, so if they'd asked him to make the statement they'd probably have published it themselves.
fitz
Well-Known Member
He had those invisible 5 or 6 players marking him.
chalmski
Member
That statement puts the club at a disadvantage imho... now everyone knows he wants out and so affects the value we can get for him. With current market, even with his garbage performances this season, he's still a match winner and would expect a big fee.... 45+, now think we struggle to get 30
fitz
Well-Known Member
His recent interview, followed by rimming Chelsea in a totally unplanned not in any way staged conversation with Slimani and then this...makes you wonder if he's been priced out of a move or if the interest just isn't from what he thinks is his level.
camberwell fox
Well-Known Member
He's £45 million in this market easily.
Northants_Fox
Member
On a positive note, Gray has a real chance to make an impact now and hopefully will increase our chances of keeping hold of him.
Motown Fox
Well-Known Member
Will his mate Slimani want to go now I wonder.
City Fan
Well-Known Member
A year ago I would have agreed with you.
SwedeFox
Well-Known Member
We don't have any particular leverage from what I can see* so a bidding war between two clubs would be good. Just need to think of two managers that would like him enough to take a risk. After the season that just finished he would definitely be seen as a risky purchase if the price is high
*Except for the contract of course - but it is absolutely not in our interest to have a highly paid unmotivated Mahrez on the bench
*Except for the contract of course - but it is absolutely not in our interest to have a highly paid unmotivated Mahrez on the bench
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