Manchester City are reportedly planning to sign a new winger to replace Saudi Arabia-bound Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez looks increasingly likely to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for a fee reported to be around £30m.
The 32-year-old winger has reportedly agreed a two-year, £25m-per-season contract with the newly promoted side.
City change their plans
It has previously been reported that City weren’t planning to replace Mahrez in the event he left, with Bernardo Silva the ideal candidate to start regularly in his place.
It was muted that Mahrez’s departure could create an opportunity for Cole Palmer and James McAtee to earn more first-team minutes, but now City look to have changed their approach.
According to The Athletic, City are ‘stepping up’ their plans to sign a replacement before the start of the Premier League season next month.
The Athletic’s City correspondent Sam Lee has reported that the club have “been aware of the possibility of losing Mahrez this summer and have been drawing up plans to replace him with a new winger in case he were to approve the transfer.”
Lee says that City are ready to accept Al-Ahli’s bid for Mahrez, who – according to other reports – has had a medical scheduled by his prospective buyer.
MCN view: Signing a replacement would be wise
City generally stay clear of last-minute deals and panic buys, so it’s not surprising that they have already drawn up a list of potential Mahrez replacements.
While Bernardo took Mahrez’s right-wing spot in the big games last season – and City are doubling down on their efforts to keep the Portuguese star – Mahrez’s departure would leave Guardiola a little short of options.
City face a jam-packed schedule next season, with August’s UEFA Super Cup final and the mid-season FIFA Club World Cup to factor into the equation.
Guardiola prefers to work with small squads, but should Mahrez follow Ilkay Gundogan out of the door then he will have two fewer attacking options at his disposal.
