Riyad Mahrez could be the next one to leave European top football for a club in Saudi Arabia. According to both English and local media, the right winger of Manchester City has reached a personal agreement with Al-Ahly.
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The 32-year-old Algerian, who won the treble with City last season, could be the next one to leave for a club in Saudi Arabia. However, he was not always a regular starter, as he remained on the bench for the entire duration of both the Champions League final and the FA Cup final.
Mahrez's contract with City still has two years remaining. The Saudi club is reportedly willing to pay €35 million to secure his transfer.
If the transfer goes through, a lucrative two-year contract awaits Mahrez. He could potentially earn €50 million per year, excluding bonuses.
Mahrez was purchased from Leicester City in 2018 for just under €70 million, making him the subject of history as Leicester unexpectedly became champions. In Manchester, he added four more league titles to his resume, and last season, he also won the Champions League and the FA Cup. Leicester had acquired Mahrez from Le Havre for a mere €500,000 in 2014.
At Al-Ahly, Mahrez would join forces with Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper who joined from Chelsea. Roberto Firmino is also already under contract with the club, having left Liverpool on a free transfer. Mahrez's decision to succumb to the lucrative offer and Al-Ahly's confidence in negotiations with Manchester City speaks volumes about the shifts in the global transfer market.
Updated: 12:08, 16 Jul 2023
