Leicester Mercury (Sharpe): Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is still Roma’s number-one transfer target despite reports the Serie A club are considering targeting Manchester City’s Samir Nasri instead.
Reports in Italy claim that Roma could abandon their pursuit of Mahrez in favour of Nasri, if Leicester do not drop their valuation of the former PFA player of the year.
However, the Mercury understands Nasri is only seen as a back-up, with a move only likely if Roma cannot come to an agreement with Leicester over Mahrez late in the window.
Leicester have already rejected one bid from the Serie A side, believed to be for £20 million, which is less than half of the £50 million that City want for the former PFA player of the year.
Roma are understood to be ready to launch a second bid for Mahrez, but that is still only expected to be around the £30m mark, and are confident they can secure a deal for around €35 million plus add-ons.
Leicester do not want to sell Mahrez, who excited in his two performances for City at the Premier League Asia Trophy, and are unwilling to lower their valuation.
It is believed that Roma will try until the end of the transfer window to seal a move for Mahrez, knowing they have the option to secure a quick deal for Nasri if that fails.
Mahrez is said to have been professional and committed in training, and showed some of his best skills in his two performances in the Premier League Asia Trophy last week.