Riyad Mahrez has reportedly agreed a big-money move to Saudi Arabia from Manchester City this summer.
Last month, it was reported that Saudi side, Al-Ahli, are eyeing up a summer transfer move for the winger.
Now, some extra behind-the-scenes information has come to light about the City star potentially making his way to the Middle East in this window.
Mahrez agrees Saudi move
In a recent Twitter post, Sports Zone said this on the matter.
They said: “Riyad Mahrez agreed with the PIF to join the Saudi championship with an annual salary close to €25M per year and announced it to the English management.
“The player does not intend to go to the showdown, but he still hopes that the Citizens will let him go.
“Manchester City, who had planned to keep him and who already fear losing Bernardo Silva, a long-time predictable sale, do not want to have to turn their entire attacking sector upside down and are holding him back with a huge offer to the Emirates at the end of his contract with City. Guardiola doesn’t want to lose Bernardo Silva AND Riyad Mahrez. Patience.”
Last season saw the 32-year-old score 15 goals and deliver 13 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, which highlights how much of a useful player he is in terms of being able to deliver goal contributions when given the opportunity.
However, having only played 11 minutes of City’s Champions League campaign after the knockout stage as well as being an unused substitute for the FA Cup final against Manchester United, this suggests that Mahrez wasn’t always at the top of Pep Guardiola’s pecking order, especially for their most important games.
This could be why the winger, who Guardiola previously described as having “special quality” in him, has an eye on moving to Saudi and starting a new chapter of his career after being incredibly successful in England with the number of trophies he’s won.
In our view, considering how useful he’s proven to be, we think that if there’s still a chance of convincing him to stay at the Etihad, we feel the club should do all they can to make that happen.
Or, if the Algerian has his heart set on moving away, the Citizens will have to make sure they bring in a suitable replacement that can be just as effective in front of goal as Mahrez.
