Sources: Manchester City rule out two names as potential Riyad Mahrez replacements

Manchester City have ruled out two recently reported names as candidates to replace Riyad Mahrez at the club this summer, City Xtra understand.

The Algeria international captain is expected to bring an end to his five-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, fresh off the back of a fifth Premier League title with the club and a major contribution in finally bringing the Champions League crown to the organisation.

Seeking a fresh challenge during the closing stages of his professional career, Riyad Mahrez is now moving towards completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli for a fee understood to be worth in the region of £30 million.

However, as Manchester City begin work on sounding out a replacement for the legendary wide-forward, it is now understood that two recently reported candidates are not being considered by Etihad transfer chiefs.

City Xtra understand that despite reports from across Europe, Manchester City have no chance of signing either Barcelona’s Raphinha or RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo as Riyad Mahrez moves closer to his Saudi switch.

Pep Guardiola has already bid farewell to treble winning captain Ilkay Gundogan this summer, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer upon the expiry of his Etihad contract, after Manchester City confirmed the arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.

The European champions also lost out in the battle to sign Declan Rice from West Ham after Arsenal made a sensational £105 million bid that has brought the England international to north London.

Manchester City are currently in the midst of their pre-season tour of the Far East, as they gear up for their first friendly match of the jaunt against Yokohama F Marinos on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.

City will follow the clash against their fellow City Football Group side with high-profile, sell-out match-ups against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich – who are strongly linked with a move for Kyle Walker, as well as La Liga’s Atletico Madrid.