Riyad Mahrez regrets walking out on Leicester but refuses to rule out transfer

Riyad Mahrez regrets his 10-day absence at Leicester City following a failed move to Manchester City but has nonetheless refused to rule out a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.

The 27-year-old did not train for 10 days and missed two matches after Leicester turned down the winger’s requests to join Pep Guardiola’s City at the end of the January transfer window.

Mahrez has since returned to life at the club and most recently salvaged a point for the Foxes with a late equalising free-kick against Bournemouth.

But despite his heroics over the weekend, Mahrez has refused to commit his future to the club.

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“I don’t want to want to talk about this, because first it will bring more rumours and more talk, and second we are very far away from this transfer window,” he told Sky Sports. “My mind, focus is on Leicester, that’s all I’m focused on.

“In football players come, players leave. I’m not saying I’m going to leave, I’m going to go. Everything is very good. We will see in the summer if something comes, but at the moment I’m a Leicester City player and I’m good here.”

Manager Claude Puel was similarly reticent when asked about Mahrez’s future, adding that “it’s not a good thing to speak about at this moment”.

“We will see with Riyad, he is with Leicester, he is finding a good level,” the Frenchman said on Thursday afternoon. “After, we will see in the summer.

“It’s another period and it’s not a good thing to speak about at this moment.”

Mahrez also insists he faced no hostility from his team-mates or club figures following the failed move to City and is now firmly back in the Leicester fold.

He added: “I was away from here because I needed some time to think. We’ve moved on now. Everyone to be honest has been very good and it’s the past now.

“It was difficult but I spoke with the players, I spoke with the manager, I spoke with everyone. Everyone was OK, was good. Now it’s the past, it’s behind me.”

“Manchester City is a good move for everyone, but it’s the past. I really don’t want to talk about this, because it’s behind me. If we start talking about this it’s like coming back to this transfer window and now I’m looking forward and trying to give my best for the team and that’s the most important.”

Mahrez did admit, though, that he regretted his handling of the situation. “You always have regrets, but at the time I thought it was the best thing to do. I have always been in contact with the club. The club handled it very well.

“I’ve been with these team-mates for four years now. They know me very well. We had some discussions and we moved on.”

Mahrez also brushed off the hoax retirement announcement posted on his Facebook page this week.

He said: “I wasn’t bothered. It won’t affect me, so I don’t know why they try to do that. I think everyone knew it had been hacked.”