Report: Manchester City walks away from pricey Mahrez deal

Leicester City's lofty asking price for winger Riyad Mahrez has ultimately forced Manchester City to abandon its pursuit of the Algerian winger, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

Pep Guardiola's side was apparently unwilling to offer more than £60 million for Mahrez - well below Leicester's £95-million valuation of the player.

Stone and the Guardian's Jamie Jackson stressed that, contrary to reports from earlier in the week, City never submitted a formal bid for the 26-year-old. There were "conversations" to see if a deal could be struck, Stone said, and nothing more.

Both Sky Sports and The Telegraph posited that City had tabled multiple offers in excess of £50 million.

Mahrez, who has two and a half years remaining on his contract, handed in a transfer request Tuesday in hopes of clinching a deal. He used a similar tactic in an attempt to force a move last summer, but ultimately was unsuccessful.

His decision to skip Tuesday's training session, as well as Wednesday's match against Everton, reportedly left several Leicester players "angry and let down." It remains to be seen how The Foxes will repair their relationship with Mahrez.

Stone and Jackson also rebuffed suggestions City had only made efforts to sign Mahrez once doctors diagnosed Leroy Sane with a mid-term ankle injury.