Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title win in 2016 saw many of their star players subjected to widespread interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The Foxes were in a relegation battle the season prior and sacked manager Nigel Pearson at the end of the season.
In came Claudio Ranieiri, which at the time, was seen as an appointment that would seal their fate back to the Championship.
However, as the story goes, Leicester suffered just three defeats that season and finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Arsenal then tried to sign Jamie Vardy but despite activating his release clause, the Leicester striker wanted to stay.
The Gunners then turned their attention to Riyad Mahrez, who has since explained why the transfer never materialised.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Riyad Mahrez says Leicester City blocked transfer to Arsenal
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2017, Riyad Mahrez revealed that Leicester told him he could join Arsenal but club chiefs then blocked the transfer from happening behind the scenes.
“They said: ‘Yes, there will be no problems if something comes up’,” Mahrez explained. “But behind the scenes they were blocking me – talking to clubs but just not wanting to sell me.
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“N’Golo (Kante) had a clause and when he left they stopped those clauses. They said they would never give one to anyone after that.
“But I’m confident. Contract or no contract, I believe I will get to the top. When you have quality, and show it, there’s no problem.”
Mahrez finally got his big move to Man City in 2018
Two years after his failed Arsenal transfer, Mahrez finally made his big move to Manchester City during the summer of 2018.
The Citizens paid £60m to sign the Algerian winger and he certainly repaid that fee over his glittering five-year stint.
Mahrez netted 78 times whilst laying on 56 assists and won countless trophies in the process, including Premier League titles and the Champions League.
The now 34-year-old plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, where he continues to deliver goals and assists with Al-Ahli.