Tottenham were linked with Mahrez for just £7m earlier this year; another transfer blunder?

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The Leicester City winger shone against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Sun and the Leicester Mercury, Tottenham were readying a £7 million bid for Mahrez earlier this year.

What happened to it…?

Even if Leicester would have taken the likely approach of trying to stop Spurs from signing the 24-year-old, the north London side’s starting point would have been £7m. Now, they are being quoted fees much, much bigger than that for the likes of Saido Berahino and Yannick Bolasie.

Is this an example of more bad scouting? Of Daniel Levy making his mind up not to sign a player before an inevitable superb season for that player? If the initial transfer speculation was untrue, meanwhile, why weren’t Tottenham looking at Mahrez? Right now, he looks like a better option than any Spurs player – and maybe even any player the north London side have been linked with.

As Opta stats show, Mahrez trumps every Spurs player when it comes to chances created, dribbles and crosses so far this campaign. The most important stat of all, meanwhile, is the four goals the Leicester winger has already scored in three Premier League appearances this season.

Behind the numbers, Mahrez’s quality is even further evident. Erik Lamela has only created two chances less than the 24-year-old but the gulf in ability between the two was clear for all to see on Saturday afternoon.

Imagine the difference at Tottenham right now if Mauricio Pochettino could call upon Mahrez instead of the likes of Lamela, Mousa Dembele or Andros Townsend (who doesn’t even get a look in) out wide?