How ironic if the man who denies Riyad Mahrez his dream move to an elite club was not an executive or club owner, but the player himself.
The word from Manchester is that Pep Guardiola is going cold on Mahrez having witnessed how he has reacted to not getting his way on transfer deadline day.
Mahrez has not played for Leicester since, missing two games and soon a third, against Manchester City.
Playing would perhaps have afforded Mahrez the opportunity to cement a move in the summer, when there will be considerably more options on the market for Guardiola.