Patrick Robert’s time with Celtic could draw to a close with reports that Leicester City want him in deal to take Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City.
It’s definitely a case of making the best of a situation, something that’s tough to do when you’re resigned to losing your star player.
The fact that Leicester have held onto Mahrez for this long is a compliment to the club considering how quickly N’Golo Kante left after the 2016 heroics.
Mahrez could have left that summer, too, but instead has stayed for two more years, surely cementing himself as one of the all-time Leicester greats.
But now he’s set to move on and what the Foxes are asking Manchester City for is very interesting indeed.
£60 million in cash is a fantastic amount, even in the current climate, and should allow Leicester to replace Mahrez as adequately as possible. Asking for Roberts in exchange, though, could be a masterstroke.
Roberts has had an injury struck season with Celtic but his form for the Bhoys over the 18 months prior showed his potential.
He would immediately give Leicester a decent option on the right flank, guaranteeing to at least partially fill the void left by Mahrez – although that’s not all.
At 21-years-old, Roberts would also a pack of incredibly talented players of that age looking to develop at the club. Kelechi Iheanacho, Demarai Gray, Ben Chillwell, and Wilfred Ndidi are all the same age and it’s easy to see how a new group at the King Power Stadium is on its way.
Mahrez might be off, but Leicester know what they’re doing – it’s simply time to make way for a very exciting new era.
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