Fenerbahce passed up on the chance to sign Riyad Mahrez in order to secure the services of Lazar Markovic, according to reports emerging out of Turkey.

The Istanbul giants secured the services of Markovic on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool in the summer but the Serbian international has failed to make the expected impact at the club.

Now according to reports, claims have been made that Fener passed up on the chance to sign Leicester City superstar Mahrez for £8million last summer and instead chose Markovic as he was a cheaper alternative.