Riyad Mahrez to leave Manchester City for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli

Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez will leave the club for Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli this summer, it has been widely confirmed.

The treble-winners have agreed a transfer fee with the Middle Eastern club, with Mahrez becoming the third Premier League player to sign for Al Ahli this summer, following Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino.

The 32-year-old will leave the Etihad Stadium after five incredibly successful seasons at the club, where the Algerian international has won a staggering total of 11 trophies, scoring 78 goals in the process.

Riyad Mahrez, who originally signed from Leicester City for £60 million in 2018 after winning the Premier League with the Foxes, has won four more English top-flight titles and the UEFA Champions League during his time at Manchester City.

The winger scored a famous hat-trick against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium last season, however did not feature in either the FA Cup Final or Champions League Final.

In what many deemed to be a relatively subdued campaign, Riyad Mahrez still scored a commendable 15 goals and registered a total of 47 appearances across all competitions during the 2022/23 season.

However, the winger is now expected to complete a deal to join Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League this summer, after Manchester City agreed a transfer fee with the Middle Eastern club this week, as per various reports.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City and Al Ahli have now reached an agreement over a €30 million initial transfer fee, plus a further €5 million in add-ons dependant on the player’s success.

The 32-year-old had previously agreed personal terms worth an estimated £25 million a year with Al Ahli, according to various reports, and will now leave the Etihad Stadium despite signing a new two-year deal until 2025 last year.

With the Algeria international working towards completing a deal, and set to undergo a medical in Saudi Arabia this week, the forward has also not been included in Manchester City’s travelling squad – which was confirmed by the club on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez is now set to sign a three-year contract in the Middle East, with the option of a further fourth campaign.

Mahrez is the first of three potential further senior exits this summer from Pep Guardiola’s squad, and the forward’s departure comes following Ilkay Gundogan’s move to Barcelona on a free transfer.

Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva have both also been mooted with potential departures, with the England international full-back in particular understood to be moving closer towards a switch to Bayern Munich.