Al Ahli ready first bid for Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City are now braced for an opening offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for Riyad Mahrez, as the Algeria international weighs up his options.

The 32 year-old is understood to be considering his options this summer after falling somewhat out of favour during sections of the recently completed 2022/23 season under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite the player feeling that he could have contributed more in terms of appearances and overall game time last campaign, Riyad Mahrez still accumulated an impressive total of 47 games across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists.

However, having already won five Premier League titles across his time at Manchester City and Leicester City, further boosted by his first Champions League crown last season, Mahrez may feel that now is the perfect time for a fresh challenge in the game.

As such, Saudi Arabia may now be able to present that opportunity, with a new report detailing a bid that is on the verge of being proposed to Manchester City – who are not entirely open on the idea of selling a player who has contributed so much to their recent success.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Al Ahli are now ready to make a £30 million bid for Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, with the Saudi club ‘extremely keen’ to recruit the Algeria international and considering him as their star arrival of the summer.

On a contract front, it is further revealed that the Saudi Pro League side have already made a proposal to Riyad Mahrez worth in the region of £25 million per year, however the player has neither ruled out a move nor opted to stay definitely at the Etihad Stadium.

Sam Lee reports that while a £30 million transfer fee would represent ‘excellent value’ for Manchester City – when taking into consideration the player’s age and contract status – it is thought that the Premier League champions are ‘not especially keen’ on a sale.

Manchester City’s stance in the ongoing transfer window remains that they will not look to enter the market when it comes to fresh arrivals unless further players leave the club in the coming days and weeks ahead.

However, the sale of Riyad Mahrez may present a firm challenge for Etihad officials, with a clear lack of top-level transfer targets available in the wide positions, despite an interest in the likes of Rafael Leao and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the closing stages of last season.

City remain active however in negotiations to try and secure the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, with the expectation being that the Croatian central defender will be the replacement for Aymeric Laporte – although no official offers have yet been made for the Spain international.

Follow City Xtra on Threads here: threads.net/@city_xtra