Al-Ahli ‘are preparing a £30m offer for Riyad Mahrez’ as the Saudi Pro League continues its pursuit of top Premier League stars… but Man City ‘are not keen’ on losing the Algerian winger
Attentions in Saudi Arabia are turning back to Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
Al-Ahli, according to the Athletic, are readying a £30million bid for the Algerian Treble winner.
Mail Sport reported last month that Mahrez is interested in ending his career in Saudi. He will be offered £43m-a-year plus bonuses for a two-year contract.
But the most recent report claims there is a hesitancy from City to cash in on a player that has two years remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium.
On the flip side, at 33 years old, an offer in the region of £30m would represent good value in the final few years of his deal.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli are reportedly ready to move ahead with plans to sign Riyad Mahrez
He was frustrated at a lack of game-time under Pep Guardiola (right) at the end of last season
Al-Ahli returned to the Saudi top-flight after surprisingly being relegated and are one of the four founding clubs – including Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad – that were taken over earlier last month by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United.
The ambition and financial might of the Saudi clubs is clear as they continue to target top European stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who have joined Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad.
But while Mahrez is open to the idea of finishing his career in the Kingdom, it is understood that he is uncertain about leaving City this summer having just won the Treble under Pep Guardiola.
The Algeria winger was disappointed with his lack of game time towards the end of the season when he was an unused substitute in the finals of the Champions League and FA Cup, but leaving would still pose a risk for further success.
Were he to join Al-Ahli, he would join up with former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who became the third Blues player, after Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante, to move to the Middle East this summer.
The Senegal international left Chelsea after three years in west London and was part of the team who won the Champions League in 2021.
Mahrez (pictured) is uncertain about leaving Man City this summer after winning the Treble