Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Riyad Mahrez and Paul Pogba Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up a summer swoop for Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez, who is set to be offered a new deal by the Foxes.

The Algeria international has been in sensational form this season, helping Claudio Ranieri’s side scale the summit of the Premier League in surprise circumstances.

According to Andy Dunn of the Sunday Mirror, the winger's form will not only see him offered a new bumper contract by Leicester but also prompt summer interest from the European champions.

“Leicester are prepared to more than double his wages but interest from Barcelona is growing and sources close to the player say he has [his] heart set on a move to the La Liga giants,” wrote Dunn, who claimed that even though the Foxes have tied down Jamie Vardy to a new long-term deal, they are “less confident” about keeping Mahrez.

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As we can see here courtesy of STATS Football, the winger is a player who contributes both in terms of his creativity and goalscoring:

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Leicester's Riyad Mahrez is the only player in the Premier League to have reached double figures in both goals (14) and assists (10).

— STATS Football (@STATS_Football) February 14, 2016"

If there is genuine interest from Barcelona, it’d leave Mahrez, who the La Liga side reportedly value between £20 million and £25 million, with an intriguing decision to make when it comes to his long-term future.

While Leicester took a chance on him and have given him a platform to showcase his talents in the English game, it’d be an incredible opportunity for the 25-year-old to go and play at the Camp Nou alongside some of the best attacking players in the game in Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

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However, ousting one of that trio would be almost impossible, making Mahrez’s chances of regular football at the Camp Nou unlikely. As 101 Great Goals noted here, the form of the current Barcelona front three has been sensational:

For Mahrez, it’d be a tough choice. Leicester are looking increasingly likely to be playing Champions League football next season, meaning he’ll be able to pit himself against Europe’s best at the King Power Stadium. But the chance to join the Blaugrana doesn’t come around too often and if Leicester were to accept a bid, it’d be tough for Mahrez to reject their advances.

Paul Pogba Race Hots Up

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According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News), Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid will all rival Barcelona for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

The piece claimed that with Jose Mourinho poised to take over at Old Trafford, he’ll seek to bring the Frenchman with him to the club in the summer, although there’ll be stiff competition from their local rivals and Los Blancos.

“The midfielder has also been linked with a move to Barcelona, but the Spanish giants have hinted they are no longer interested,” wrote Dawson.

Pogba admitted last month that he’d love to play alongside Messi one day, per AS’s David F. Sanchidrian. However, more recently he’s spoken of his willingness to work under Pep Guardiola, per Sky (h/t James Walker-Roberts of Sky Sports).

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Pogba in this Barcelona team would certainly be something special. As we can see here, he’s one of the most versatile footballers on the planet:

Luis Enrique’s side seems tailor made for his talents too. This version of Barcelona are a lot more direct in their play than Guardiola’s, seeking to move the ball quickly through phases and get possession into the front three as quickly as possible.

For Pogba, who relishes space to surge into, that’d be a dream scenario. But with the interest of teams like United, City and Real said to be on the up and Barca’s reportedly on the wane, it’d be a surprise to see the Bianconeri man become the latest superstar to head to the Camp Nou.