Manchester City have named their asking price for Riyad Mahrez after rejecting an opening offer from Al-Ahli.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 32-year-old winger is wanted by the newly promoted Saudi Pro League side after dropping down the pecking order at City last season.
City name their price
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, City have told Al-Ahli that £30m will seal the deal for Mahrez.
The treble winners rejected an opening offer of £15m plus £5m add-ons for the Algerian attacker, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
According to Romano, Al-Ahli have not been disheartened by the rejection of their proposal and are confident of wrapping up a deal soon.
Multiple reports in recent days have claimed that Mahrez has already agreed personal terms with his prospective buyers and stands to earn £25m per season in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ahli have reportedly already scheduled Mahrez’s medical in anticipation of agreeing a fee with City.
Mahrez – regarded by many as a world class attacker – made 47 appearances in all competitions for City last season, scoring 15 goals and setting up 13 more as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble.
The Algeria international has won 10 major trophies during his five-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, including four Premier League titles and one Champions League.
Should City and Al-Ahli reach an agreement then Mahrez will become City’s second departure of the summer after club captain Ilkay Gundogan left for Barcelona at the end of his contract.
MCN view: City right to hold out
Selling Mahrez this summer makes sense; he is no longer Guardiola’s go-to option on the right wing, and at 32 years old his value is only going to decrease from here on in.
However, that doesn’t mean City should give him away for peanuts.
City’s policy is not to stand in the way of wantaway players, provided they bring suitable offers to the table.
If Al-Ahli meet City’s £30m asking price then everyone is a winner.
