Roma sports chief Monchi has revealed Leicester City blocked Riyad Mahrez from leaving over the summer.

In England, it's been claimed Mahrez was never the subject of any offers during the close season market, despite the Algeria international making a public transfer request.

But Monchi has countered that view, revealing both Roma and Barcelona tried to sign Mahrez before the start of the season.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Mahrez? We tried to take him.

"We were looking for a left winger, but Leicester told us 'no', as they did for Barcelona. So we decided to bet on Patrik Schick (from Sampdoria), an investment for the club, even if it was not the profile we were looking for."