Manchester City and Al Ahli have reached an agreement worth €35 million for Riyad Mahrez.
According to The Athletic, Premier League champions Manchester City are set to lose winger Riyad Mahrez to Asian giants Al Ahli in a deal worth €35 million.
The Algerian international has been a crowd favourite at The Etihad since arriving from Leicester City in 2018. He has since made 236 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 78 goals and assisting 59 more.
A versatile player capable of playing anywhere along the frontline, Mahrez certainly has built himself a solid legacy at Manchester City. Having won the treble last time out, the time is now ripe for the veteran to seek a new challenge.
At 32, Mahrez is not getting any younger and is closing in on the heyday of his career. However, there are still a few good years left in him and there is every reason to believe he will go on to shine in Saudi Arabia.
City will receive €35 million in transfer fees plus another €5 million in add-ons. It represents a significant fee for a player whose powers are clearly on the wane. Having also let go of several other senior players in recent windows, the club is certainly looking to rebuild under Pep Guardiola.
Mahrez is set to undergo his medical tomorrow ahead of signing a three-year deal. There remains the option for an additional year and it remains to be seen under what conditions, it can be triggered.
The Algerian international is the third player to join Al Ahly from the Premier League this summer. He will be reunited with former rivals Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino from Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively.
Selling Mahrez for a decent amount is good news for Manchester City, who will now need to rebuild after their immaculate 2022/23 campaign. With rivals around them strengthening, it is essential that Guardiola’s charges don’t down their tools and go again.
Mahrez leaves the Etihad with his legacy intact and will look back fondly at his time in Manchester. He did not just give Guardiola a game-changing option off the bench but scored key goals that played a big role in the club’s success. Now, it is time for him to write a new chapter in what has been an illustrious career.
when City were buying Him, I keep wondering if my club Chelsea really understood what we are missing…