Italian side Roma are continuing to pursue Riyad Mahrez, with the Leicester winger now their No.1 choice to replace Mohamed Salah.
Egypt star Salah left the Italian capital in a £37million deal earlier this summer, and the Giallorossi are still looking to replace him.
New transfer guru Monchi has been busy in the market with nine permanent signings already, including Mexican defender Hector Moreno and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini.
But a replacement for Salah remains manager Eusebio De Francesco’s priority.
Roma have seen a £20million bid rejected by the Foxes, who have placed a £50million price tag on a player also coveted by Arsenal.
Roma are expected to return soon with a second bid, with De Francesco remaining keen on taking the Algerian star to the Stadium Olimpico.
"Riyad Mahrez is definitely a great and interesting player," De Francesco said.
"[He is] one of those who maybe Roma is following. A left-footer playing on the right-hand side, which could be of great help to the team.”
Mahrez declared in May that he wanted a move from the King Power stadium, outlining his wish to “move on to a new experience”.
But the PFA Footballer of the Year in 2016 remains with the Foxes and is currently on the club’s pre-season tour - starting against West Brom in the Premier League Asia trophy on Wednesday.
There are also suggestions from Italy that Mahrez is also ready to take a sizeable pay cut to force a move to Roma, who can offer Champions League football.