Leicester City are reportedly likely to beat Premier League rivals Spurs to the signature of Riyad Mahrez’s King Power replacement – Zizou.
The name Zizo is certainly close to the nickname donned by Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, which might but a bit of pressure on the 22-year-old.
But the Egyptian winger, who currently plays for Primeira Liga outfit Moreirense, is certainly a talented player in his own right. So much so that bigger clubs on the continent are starting to take notice.
According to TEAMtalk, Benfica, Porto and Lyon are all interested in Zizo, whose real name is Ahmed Sayed. There is also interest from the Premier League with the report stating that Leicester City are leading Tottenham for a player they believe could replace Riyad Mahrez at the King Power Stadium.
Spurs, then, look set to miss out. But rather than wallow in self-pity, they should use this as an opportunity. Rather than sign the ‘new Mahrez’, Zizo’s potential move to Leicester would give them the best chance yet to sign the original version.
Mahrez, the 2016 PFA Player of the Year, has made it clear in the last two transfer windows that he believes the time is right to leave Leicester but so far has been blocked from departing, most notably when Manchester City came in during the January transfer window.
Tottenham have been circling in the background for a number of months, per the Sun, and suggestions that Leicester are looking for potential alternatives suggests that they might soon be ready to accept defeat.
Mahrez, to his credit, has got on with things and performed exceptionally this season with ten goals and eight Premier League assists and he’d be a definite upgrade on Erik Lamela, Mousa Sissoko and co in Spurs’ attack.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
