Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying group opponent Algeria will be without their talisman, Riyad Mahrez – at least until matchday – as he leaves the squad to “formalise” his move from Leicester City, according to the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
The 26-year-old has been the subject of three bids from Italian club Roma since expressing his desire to leave the 2015-16 Premier League champions.
The FAF said he had been given permission to miss training to agree a deal before the transfer deadline.
Blurry, but Riyad Mahrez’s been spotted at Paris airport (@imadbabouri). He’s there in case a deal gets done. No agreements yet. #cfc #thfc pic.twitter.com/DftT6HUgi1
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) August 31, 2017
Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be interested.
Roma’s third bid was reported to be £32m and the club have said they are now looking at other options.
A statement from the FAF said Mahrez “was authorised by the national coach Lucas Alcaraz and the Algerian Football Federation to make an express trip to Europe to formalise on Thursday his transfer to his new club.
“The national team will fly without him on Thursday morning to Lusaka to face Zambia on Saturday.”
Credit: FAF
#الخضر بتعداد مكتمل ويواصلون التØضير لمواجهتي زامبيا #LesVerts #AFWCQ #TeamDZ #CM2018 pic.twitter.com/wOn9OQHMwS
— Les Verts d’Algérie (@LesVerts) August 30, 2017
It’s matchday three of the qualifiers and group b could be decided should Nigeria defeat Cameroon in Uyo on Friday.
