Mahrez rules out return to France: 'I like England'

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez is just three points away from winning the Premier League title and the Algerian winger says his new-found success in England has staved off any desire to return to his native France.

Mahrez, born in Sarcelles, France, joined Leicester for a meager £400,000 out of the French Ligue 2 side Le Havre, making him one of the least expensive players who garnered a transfer fee and won the PFA Player of the Year title.

While the likes of Paris Saint-Germain could certainly afford his now-massive transfer fee, Mahrez says he's happy in England, and wouldn't even consider joining his favourite team, Marseille.

"I liked Marseille when I was younger," Mahrez told Onze Mondial, as quoted by ESPN FC. "Even today, Paris doesn't make me dream too much. It's my city but I don't see myself going back to Paris.

"I'm not saying it's impossible. But I really don't want to. I have no desire to return to France. France doesn't tempt me at all - I like England."

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Mahrez may be firmly rooted to England's soon-to-be-legendary Foxes but that wasn't always the case; after his first season with Leicester, Mahrez was shopped to Marseille by his agent, though the French club ultimately turned him down.

"I wanted to go to Marseille when I was young. But once I was at Leicester, I didn't care about going to play with OM. Honestly, even if he'd said 'sign with OM, we're counting on you' I wouldn't have gone. I promise you, that's why there are too many players who passed through the net in France.

"Look, when I see N'Golo Kante, I hear that clubs didn't want to spend €8.9 million on him, that it was too expensive ... it's crazy! I'm not saying that because he's my friend but honestly he's really good."