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Report: Tottenham reject chance to sign Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez; Spurs also reluctant to trigger Demarai Gray’s release clause

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (REUTERS)
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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Leicester City wingers Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray.

Tottenham manager Mauricio PochettinoTottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

A report in the Daily Mirror has suggested that Tottenham have rejected the chance to sign Riyad Mahrez this summer, and are reluctant to trigger the release clause of his Leicester City teammate Demarai Gray.

The Mirror reports that Mahrez expects to be on his way out of the King Power Stadium this summer, and appears to have a host of clubs that want his signature.

One of the clubs unlikely to bag his signature this summer appears to be Tottenham, with the Mirror adding that Spurs have turned down the chance to sign the Algeria international, leaving the path slightly clearer it seems for the likes of Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea to make a move.

One player perhaps slightly more likely to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad next season is Mahrez’s current Leicester teammate Gray, with the Mirror suggesting that Tottenham remain keen on the young winger.

However, it appears that they will need to come to an agreement with Leicester about a price for the former Birmingham man, with the Mirror suggesting that Spurs are less than keen about the idea of paying his £22 million release clause.

Leicester City's Demarai Gray celebrates scoring their third goalLeicester City’s Demarai Gray remains on Tottenham’s radar

With Gray still arguably a largely unproven talent in the Premier League, it is perhaps hardly a surprise that Tottenham are reluctant to pay such a substantial fee for him.

The 20-year-old was not a regular fixture in a Foxes side that came nowhere near emulating the achievements of their historic title win, so Pochettino perhaps has every right to question whether spending £22 million of his transfer budget on him makes much sense currently despite his clear potential.

Swansea City's Leroy Fer in action with Leicester City's Demarai GrayTottenham are reluctant to Gray’s £22 million release clause