Monchi says Roma “did everything” to sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City but now “we’re looking around for other players”.
The Giallorossi had two offers rejected for the attacking midfielder, who was keen to be allowed to speak with them.
After their second bid of €35m was rejected, it was reported that the capital club had given up on their pursuit of Mahrez and their sporting director confirmed as much today.
Monchi says Roma “did everything” to sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City but now “we’re looking around for other players”.
The Giallorossi had two offers rejected for the attacking midfielder, who was keen to be allowed to speak with them.
After their second bid of €35m was rejected, it was reported that the capital club had given up on their pursuit of Mahrez and their sporting director confirmed as much today.
“I’m optimistic by nature, but the truth is that Roma did everything possible to buy the player,” Monchi insisted at Gregoire Defrel’s presentation.
“He would have been the most expensive player in Roma’s history, we're waiting for an answer but up until now we haven’t received any positive feedback from the other side.
“The offer we made was an important one, but the priority isn’t just Mahrez because we’ve done everything necessary and now we’re looking around for other players.
"If we take another player we won't have anything to reproach ourselves, because we tried until the end.
"Could we raise our offer for Mahrez? I'm satisfied with the effort the club has made to sign the player. I don't think any other club has bid over €30m, as Roma did.
"The player expressed what he wants publicly, but it's right that we respect his club.
"In the end everything comes down to whether or not Leicester want to sell the player."