Manchester City eyeing 18-goal Leicester City forward, if they fail to sign Leroy Sane

Manchester City have reportedly earmarked Algeria international ace Riyad Mahrez as an alternative transfer target to Germany international forward Leroy Sane this summer, according to France Football.

The Premier League side, who finished fourth in the English top-flight standings last term after pipping rivals Manchester United to the final Champions League spot, have been continually linked with a move for the highly-rated Schalke winger.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

However, the report suggests that if new Citizens boss Pep Guardiola cannot lure the 20-year-old starlet to the Etihad Stadium this summer, then City will instead turn their attention to Premier League champion Mahrez.

The 25-year-old, who has 24 international caps for his country, scored an impressive 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for the title-winning Foxes last season.

Mahrez, who arrived at the King Power Stadium back in January 2014 from French outfit Le Havre for a bargain £350,000, is understood to not have a release clause written into his current deal with Claudio Ranieri’s side.

However Leicester reportedly value the PFA Player of the Year at £45m.