Barcelona will reportedly compete with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in the race to sign Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Riyad Mahrez is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants will need to fend off stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus to land the Manchester City forward.
Riyad Mahrez has been one of the most enigmatic attackers in the Premier League over the past half a dozen years. The 31-year-old first rose to prominence when he delivered an unfathomable Premier League title for Leicester City in the 2015/16 season. Since joining Manchester City in July 2018, the Algerian international has taken his game up a notch.
Mahrez has enjoyed a stunning 2021/22 campaign, amassing 21 goals and seven assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. But the player has a little over a year remaining on his current contract, which has captured the attention of several high profile clubs across Europe, including Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the uncertainty surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele. While recent reports have claimed that the French international is open to staying put at Camp Nou beyond the summer transfer window, he is poised to leave Barcelona as a free agent as things stand.
So the Catalan giants need to keep their options open, with Mahrez emerging as a viable target. The dynamic 31-year-old Algerian forward can combine seamlessly with Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati in the final third, which explains why Barcelona’s interest in him is long-standing.
According to the report, the Blaugrana will diverge the funds dedicated to signing Erling Haaland to secure the services of Mahrez instead. That is because Barcelona’s pursuit of Haaland has ended amid competition from Real Madrid and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to balance the books by cashing in on Mahrez.
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Barcelona will face intense competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in the race to sign the 31-year-old from Manchester City. For now, it looks like Mahrez’s time at Manchester City could end in the summer transfer window, even though he has been the most productive player for the Premier League champions this term.
