Manchester City target £60m Riyad Mahrez move after Leroy Sane injury

City are willing to go big for Mahrez, but unless the Leicester star forces a transfer to the Etihad, he is currently unlikely to move

Manchester City have turned to Riyad Mahrez on the eve of the deadline (Getty)

Manchester City have switched their attentions to Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez after Leroy Sane was ruled out up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

City have asked Leicester about Mahrez today, the penultimate day of the transfer window, but Leicester have told them that their top asset is not for sale at any price.

As well as confirming the £57million signing of Aymeric Laporte this morning, City were ready to focus on completing a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, their second signing of the window.

But those plans changed on Sunday afternoon when Sane had ankle ligaments injured by a bad Joe Bennett tackle during City’s 2-0 win at Cardiff City.

Sane was scanned on Monday, confirming the injury that will put him out for six or seven weeks.

That means he will be out until mid-March and will miss both legs of City’s Champions League last-16 tie against FC Basel and the EFL Cup final against Arsenal.

That is why City are now prioritising a new winger although Leicester have no reason to sell the 2015-16 PFA Player of the Year. City are willing to pay up to £60m for Mahrez, but unless the player forces a transfer to the Etihad Stadium, he is currently unlikely to move.