'Leicester rebuffed Barca approach for Mahrez'

The Algerian winger was keen on a move away from the former Premier League champions during pre-season due to his eagerness to play Champions League football and handed in an official transfer request in an attempt to push through a move.

Roma identified the player as the ideal man to replace Liverpool-bound Mohamed Salah but with no-one willing to match Leicester's £50m valuation of the player, he stayed put.

Speaking to Italian publication 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', Roma's sporting director Monchi has now lifted the lid on the club's attempts to sign the player, saying that interest from Barca was also knocked back.

'We wanted a left-footed winger to replace Mohamed Salah and put it all on Mahrez, but the only reason he didn't come was because the club wouldn't sell,' he explained.

'It's not an excuse, they said no to Barcelona too.'

Despite not getting his move Mahrez has knuckled down at the King Power, scoring three goals and laying on five assists in 12 games in all competitions so far this season.