Riyad Mahrez has reportedly now informed Manchester City of his desire to leave the club – but Pep Guardiola is reluctant to let the star go.
The Algeria international is the subject of heavy speculation at the moment.
City have already lost one high-profile star this summer in Ilkay Gundogan.
And there is potential for the club to lose another in Mahrez, with Al Ahli looking to take him to the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ahli have apparently sent in a £17 million bid today for Mahrez.
They have also reportedly even scheduled in a medical for the player in anticipating of a move.
But Al Ahli may well meet some resistance over Mahrez in the form of Guardiola, who doesn’t want him to go.
Riyad Mahrez has asked Manchester City to leave, but Pep wants to keep him
According to TEAMtalk today, Mahrez has now asked City officials to let him leave.
Supposedly, he has already agreed terms with the Saudi outfit. It is said to be worth £43 million plus bonuses over a two-year contract.
The publication states that Mahrez was left ‘extremely hurt’ by Guardiola’s decision not to play him in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Despite Mahrez asking City to leave him leave, Guardiola does not want him to go.
And apparently, the Spaniard has moved to reassure Mahrez that he will get more game time next season.
Whether this will be enough to convince Mahrez to stay remains to be seen.
Mahrez would be very hard for Man City to replace
This is quite a bold claim from TEAMtalk which seems to suggests that Guardiola is digging his heels in over Mahrez.
You can understand why he wouldn’t want to lose him.
But you could also understand Mahrez wanting to go, considering the stage of his career he’s at and the potential earnings over in Saudi.
One thing is for sure; Mahrez would be so hard to replace.
The £160,000-a-week man has been a phenomenal signing for City signing joining five years ago from Leicester City.
He’s made some massive contributions to the club’s success during his time at the club, and he’s easily still one of the top wingers in the game today.
