According to reports, Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli is preparing a bid of £30 million for Manchester City’s attacker, Riyad Mahrez.
During the 2022-23 season, the 32-year-old struggled to secure a regular starting position under Pep Guardiola. Despite this, he managed to score 15 goals and provide 13 assists in 47 matches across all competitions.
Mahrez was one of only six players in the Premier League to reach double figures in assists last season. He set up 10 goals, trailing behind Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Leandro Trossard, Michael Olise, and Bukayo Saka.
However, the Algerian international was rarely seen in the Champions League beyond the group stage. He played just 11 minutes from the quarter-finals to the final, where he remained unused on the substitute bench against Inter Milan.
While Mahrez’s contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2025, there have been rumors for over a year that he may depart from the treble-winning team. Previously, Paris Saint-Germain showed interest, but it is unlikely they will pursue him this time.
Instead, there have been suggestions of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, where Mahrez could significantly increase his earnings. Although a recent report claimed he turned down an opportunity for a big payday in the Gulf state, The Athletic reports that Al-Ahli is now preparing to make a move for him.
It is said that Al-Ahli is ready to offer Manchester City £30 million to secure Mahrez’s services and has proposed a yearly salary of £25 million for the player in the Saudi Pro League.
The decision on his future is still pending, and Mahrez may choose to stay with Manchester City. However, sources indicate that he has not ruled out the possibility of a move to Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City, on the other hand, is reportedly hesitant to let Mahrez leave, especially since they are unlikely to seek a direct replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to join Barcelona.
Having lost the race to sign Declan Rice to Arsenal, Manchester City is considering moving Bernardo Silva into a midfield role, assuming the Portuguese player remains in Manchester.
If Silva’s position switch occurs, it would provide an opportunity for Mahrez to solidify his place on the right-wing. Nevertheless, the treble-winning team will dip into their financial resources if the Algerian departs, especially considering the interest from Al-Hilal.
Since joining Manchester City in 2018 after shining for Leicester City during their historic Premier League title win in 2015-16, Mahrez has accumulated an impressive record. He has scored 78 goals and provided 59 assists in 236 matches across all competitions under Guardiola.
Mahrez has been named Manchester City’s Player of the Month seven times, including in January of this year, when he also received the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.
Al-Ahli has already made two high-profile signings from the Premier League this summer, acquiring Edouard Mendy from Chelsea and former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.