Manchester City turn down £18 million offer for five-time Premier League winner from Saudi Arabia

Manchester City have rejected an offer from Al Ahli for winger Riyad Mahrez, with the Saudi Pro League club expected to return with a fresh bid.

The 32-year-old looks set to become the second significant exit from Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning squad, as the Algerian closes in on a move to Saudi Arabia, despite signing a new deal at the Etihad Stadium until 2025 last year.

Al Ahli are hoping to make Mahrez their third signing from the Premier League this summer, having already completed deals for Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy, who have signed from Liverpool and Chelsea.

Mahrez has reportedly agreed personal terms worth roughly £25 million annually, as the Algerian international looks to end his five-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

The winger, who has scored 78 goals for Manchester City, signed for £60 million from Leicester City in 2018, and has won 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The 32-year-old made 47 appearances for the Sky Blues last season, but didn’t feature in either the FA Cup Final against Manchester United or Champions League Final in Istanbul.

Mahrez had scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals to secure Manchester City’s place in a first FA Cup Final since 2019.

Ah Ahli are still confident of signing the winger this summer, however Simon Jones reports that Manchester City have rejected an £18 million bid from the Middle Eastern club.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Saudi Pro League side had offered a deal worth £23 million in total, with an £18 million fee and £5 million in add-ons, but Manchester City want £30 million to complete a deal.

City travel to Japan for pre-season on Wednesday, with question marks surrounding the future of Mahrez, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva ahead of the tour.

The Blues will play two matches in Japan before heading to South Korea to face Atletico Madrid in Seoul.

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