Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez is leaving the Etihad for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in a £30million transfer.
Manchester City are about to lose another player integral to their success under Pep Guardiola.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan has already departed and Riyad Mahrez is set to follow him out of the door. The winger is the only senior star not to travel to Tokyo for City’s pre-season tour of Asia as he nears a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in a £30million transfer.
On the face of things, it’s a pretty good deal for the Blues. £30million for a 32-year-old player with just two years remaining on his deal and who is no longer a regular starter? Snap those hands off. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski have gone for higher transfer fees over that age.
Mahrez himself clearly fancies the move as well after not seeing a minute of action in the FA Cup or Champions League final. City maintains the stance of not holding on to those who wish to leave as long as the money is right and this move suits all parties.
But it shouldn’t go underappreciated how good a player City are waving goodbye to. Mahrez finished the 2022 season as top scorer with 24 goals and though Erling Haaland’s arrival overshadowed him on that front, he still contributed 15 goals and 13 assists to the treble win. In fact, the Algerian actually started more games last season than he did the year before.
Mahrez has been the ideal winger for Guardiola’s system with his preference to maintain possession and be involved in build-up play rather than hug and stretch the touchline. His cutting edge in the attacking third has made him essential to the side and, like Gundogan, he will take some replacing.
Which has put City in a position they don’t operate at their optimum in as they’re now having to assess targets and strengthen in a position deep into the transfer window. The club may well have expected Mahrez’ departure and have plans in place but there doesn’t seem to be a replacement immediately lined up to come in, as there was with Mateo Kovacic to at least replenish the numbers in midfield.
