FC Barcelona is reportedly targeting Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez this summer as the reigning La Liga champions are keen on finding reliable backups behind the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez up front for next season.

The Mirror reported that the current English Premier League leaders are bracing for Barça's summer swoop for one of their most reliable scorers.

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Leicester signed Mahrez to a £35,000 weekly wage last summer, but they are now said to be "resigned to losing the playmaker and goalscorer" to the Catalonia giants, who is expected to offer so much more to the 25-year-old forward.

The Foxes are reportedly restructuring Mahrez's contract to £75,000 per week of wages, just like the one they gave his scoring partner and current Premier League scoring leader Jamie Vardy, but it is reportedly not enough to surpass or equal what Barça has in store for the Algerian international.

It was reported that the King Power Stadium residents "believe Vardy's new deal will mean his long-term future belongs with the surprise title contenders", but they are not certain of securing Mahrez's services if and when Barcelona finally gives him the call.

Caught Offside noted that Mahrez "has emerged as a key player in the club's success this season, as they continue to lead the way in the league with 12 games remaining in the campaign".

He had scored 14 times in 25 games this season in the English top flight, tied for fourth place in the list of EPL top scorers together with Manchester City's Sergio Agüero and Watford's Odion Ighalo.

A lot of clubs is anticipated to compete against Barça for the services of the Sarcelles, France native, but the Spanish champions are said to be his "preferred option" even though his playing time will definitely be affected playing alongside or behind the Big Three of Messi, Neymar, and Suárez.

The possible transfer fee for Mahrez, according to the report, is about £20 to £25 million, which could help the Foxes find a suitable replacement for the winger.

Last season's EPL winners Chelsea FC is reportedly willing to give more to Leicester, but Mahrez's desire to play in Spain is going to be the deciding factor where he will end up in the summer.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, FC Barcelona, Leicester City FC, Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea FC