Pep Guardiola Coy on Riyad Mahrez Talk, Everton Reportedly Want Eliaquim Mangala

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to directly address rumours linking the club with a £55 million move for Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, with the Foxes reportedly hoping for almost double that amount.

According to Sky Sports, he was asked about the Algeria international in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's match against West Bromwich Albion and said:

"I have interest in a lot of players and good players—there are many.

"The transfer window [closes] on the 31st. We spoke many times with the club about what is the best for the players we have and the amount of players we have. Right now we have just three strikers with Raheem [Sterling]. We don't have more for the next month-and-a-half.

"Leroy [Sane] and Gabriel [Jesus] are coming back in the next five-six weeks so we don't have too much, and we play every three days. We have a lot [of matches], but we want to find solutions."

Goal's Sam Lee, who believes Guardiola's response confirmed his interest in the winger, summarised the contrasting reports in relation to the transfer fee:

Mahrez, 26, has submitted a transfer request to the Foxes, but when Guardiola was further questioned about signing him he remained coy:

"Right now I say the same thing as I said in the case of Alexis Sanchez and [Aymeric] Laporte that here is not the best place to talk about that.

"The move for Laporte has happened because it is a buyout clause that has to be paid. When you have to negotiate with other examples [of transfers] in the past it is always complicated."

BBC Sport's Simon Stone believes Leicester will demand an enormous fee for Mahrez, while the Telegraph's James Ducker explained why they would be justified in doing so:

Mahrez is a vital player at the King Power Stadium thanks to his skill and inventiveness in the final third and his eye for goal.

He's been in great form in recent months, per Sky Sports PL:

He would seem a somewhat unnecessary arrival at the Etihad Stadium, though, given they still have strength in depth thanks to Bernardo Silva, and the Algerian doesn't naturally possess the work rate that will be required of him if he joins Guardiola's side.

Nevertheless, the biggest obstacle to his move will be Leicester and how much they're willing to hold out for. According to MailOnline, they want up to £100 million for his signature.

Meanwhile, Everton are said to be confident of signing centre-back Eliaquim Mangala from City on loan, Sky Sports also reported.

Per Lee, Guardiola said on Tuesday Mangala would likely stay for the remainder of the campaign, but he's unlikely to feature much following the arrival of Laporte.

The Toffees could also have a clear run at the 26-year-old defender after Newcastle United pulled out of the race to sign him, per Sky Sports' Keith Downie:

Everton have shipped 39 goals this season, so defensive reinforcements to help them tighten up at the back for the second half of the campaign could help them maintain a mid-table place and avoid being sucked back into the relegation scrap.

Mangala has struggled to prove his worth at times for City, but he could make a strong addition to a team like Everton.