The theory is that now one of the Foxes’ star men have moved on, more will head for the exit at the King Power Stadium which, if true, is a shame but not entirely unexpected.
Jamie Vardy appears to have resisted temptation to leave, but the buzzards are now circling over Riyad Mahrez – if today’s reports are to be believed.
Mahrez enjoyed a stunning season for Leicester last season and he is coveted by a number of top clubs both in England and in Europe – so can the Foxes convince him to stay?
EPL Index muse: “The Leicester exodus is starting to begin as many feared with Ngolo Kante leaving for Chelsea. After Jamie Vardy declined Arsenal earlier in the window and signed a new contract, there was hope that the club would be able to keep hold of their team for one more season and attack the Champions League.
“However, now Kante is leaving and reports suggest that Riyad Mahrez is interested in following the Frenchman out of the club. Mahrez was the side’s standout player last season and won PFA Player of the Year award in the process. He surprised many with his performances and developed into a Champions League player over the season.”
Goal.com speculate Mahrez will follow Kante to West London as they write: “Chelsea are planning a bid for Riyad Mahrez as they look to raid Leicester City for a second time, according to Daily Express.
“Antonio Conte completed the £32 million signing of N’Golo Kante on Saturday and the new Blues manager also hopes to add the Algerian to his ranks.
“Mahrez is understood to be keen on leaving the Premier League champions in search for a more established European outfit and will reject an offer of a new £100,000-a-week contract.
“Arsenal and Barcelona are also interested in last season’s PFA Player of the Year.”
Elsewhere, North London rivals Spurs and Arsenal are reportedly set to lock horns over another midfielder – Dutch star Jordy Clasie.
Caught Offside write: “According to HITC, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have joined Everton and Manchester United as joint favourites to land the 25-year-old Dutch midfielder. Per the source, all four clubs have been given equal odds of landing the young star by bookmakers.
“Clasie joined Southampton last summer after four previous strong years with Feyenoord. He went on to make 20 starts and 22 overall appearances in the Premier League for Southampton during the 2015-16 season, and also earned two more caps for the Netherlands in friendlies.”
More ‘other’ gossip tomorrow...
