Riyad Mahrez’s agents have requested talks with Manchester City over a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
The Algerian winger has been heavily linked with a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium, and now it appears that the wheels of a move are setting in motion.
Mahrez has been a key player for City in recent years, but last season he fell down the pecking order with Pep Guardiola often preferring to deploy Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden on the right wing.
Fabrizio Romano: Agents request talks
According to Fabrizio Romano, Mahrez’s representatives have requested to speak to City having already discussed contract details with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
According to CBS, the Saudi Arabian club – who were promoted as champions of the First Division League last season – are willing to pay the attacker over £25m per season.
At 32 years old Mahrez is approaching the tail-end of his career, but with two years left on his City contract, he is expected to fetch a decent fee.
CBS have also reported that Al-Ahli will table an opening offer of £30m, a sum City are unlikely to receive if they hold onto Mahrez for another season.
Should the offer be accepted then Mahrez will become the second first-team regular to leave the club this summer, after Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona when his contract expired.
City are not expected to sign a new winger should Mahrez leave.
MCN view: Now is the time to cash-in on Mahrez
Mahrez has been a great – if sometimes underappreciated – servant to City, but now is the time to cash-in.
The four-time Premier League winner will not increase in value, so if City want to recoup some funds then they should take the £30m and run.
The question is how does Guardiola feels about losing a player he described as ‘fantastic’ earlier this year. City did not enter the summer with the intention to sell the Algerian, and his departure could leave City short of wide players.
On the other hand, his exit could open the door for youngster Cole Palmer and returning loanee James McAtee to receive more first-team minutes.
