Barcelona Transfer News: Riyad Mahrez Move Discussed by Xavi, Latest Rumours

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez believes Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez is good enough to play for his former side. 

He told Al Araby Al Jadeed (h/t Gerard Brand of Sky Sports):

"

He is a very good player. He suddenly came to my attention this season, I didn't know about him before, but this season he has blown up. 

He has made a name for himself among the top names in the English league and played exceptionally well. Thanks to what he has done for his club, he can now play for any big club in Europe.

"

When asked if that included Barcelona, he added: "Yeah, why not? He could play for Barcelona in the future. He is talented, but that is not in my hands these days!"

The winger has reportedly attracted the Blaugrana's interest after a stunning campaign with the Foxes this year, per the Guardian's Gregg Bakowski.

Indeed, as Squawka Football and OptaJoe revealed, the Algerian has stood out not only in the Premier League but across Europe this season:

Mahrez has been vital to Leicester's shock title challenge and has won the Foxes plenty of points away from home this season, with 12 of his goals coming on the road, per Squawka Football.

His pace, creativity and magnificent dribbling skills are reminiscent of the attributes boasted by Barca's famous trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, if not quite at their unrivalled level just yet.

Fox Sports' Daniel Garb believes Mahrez would be a worthy winner of the Player of the Year award, ahead of team-mates N'Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy:

It seems likely he will pick up the gong, having dazzled throughout the season and surpassed the numbers Eden Hazard produced in winning the award last year—the Belgian accrued 14 goals and 10 assists in the league. 

Mahrez would find the prospect of turning out at the Camp Nou a tempting one, though for all his considerable talent, he's not likely to unseat any of their front three. He'd probably still get a reasonable amount of game time if he were to move, but he wouldn't be an automatic starter.

Barca have also been linked with another top-class playmaker: Arsenal's Mesut Ozil. According to Joaquin Maroto of AS, Barca are hoping to sign him and could be set to offer Sandro Ramirez, Arda Turan and Munir el Haddadi in exchange for his services.

The German has been at his creative best this season, as Squawka Football revealed:

His vision and technical ability would likely see him fit in well at the Camp Nou, where flowing, attractive football is the order of the day, per former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker:

As good as he is, however, it seems unlikely Barca would give up a marquee signing they've only been able to use since January and two promising young talents just to land one more creator.

Further, Maroto reported any possible deal is complicated by Ozil's old club Real Madrid having a first refusal option if he returns to Spain, while Arsenal will likely be unwilling to part with him despite being interested in the trio on the table.

It would be a sensational deal if Barca can pull it off, but there could be too many factors at play working against it here.