Al-Ahli have reportedly scheduled a medical for Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, although they are yet to submit a formal offer.
The 32-year-old has been strongly linked with a summer switch to Al-Ahli in recent weeks, with one report claiming that he is closing in on a move to the Saudi Pro League club.
Mahrez has spent the last five seasons at Man City since joining the club from Leicester City, scoring 78 goals and registering 59 assists in 236 matches across all competitions as well as winning 11 trophies including four Premier League titles.
The Algeria international hit double figures for goals and assists in the Citizens' treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, contributing with 15 goals and 13 assists in 47 games, including 10 Premier League assists – one of only six English top-flight players to reach double figures for assists last season.
However, Mahrez started only 22 times in the Premier League last season, completing the full 90 minutes on just 11 occasions, while he featured for just 11 minutes in the Champions League from the quarter-finals to the final, where he watched on as an unused substitute against Inter Milan.
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Mahrez faced stern competition from Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez – particularly the former – for regular starts under manager Pep Guardiola, and the winger is now thought to be weighing up his options ahead of the new season.
City's No.26 still has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, but CBS Sports claims that there is growing optimism from Al-Ahli that they can strike a deal with the English and European champions to sign the winger this summer.
The report adds that Mahrez is keen on the move to the Middle East and an agreement over personal terms is close, with the winger currently in talks over a €30m-a-year contract.
A medical has also been scheduled for the Man City star, and although Al-Ahli have not yet tabled their opening bid to the Citizens, it is understood that their first offer will be worth in the region of €35m (£30m).
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Mahrez has been identified by Al-Ahli as their primary target having already completed deals to sign Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino from Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.
Guardiola may be reluctant to lose Mahrez this summer at time when a number of other Man City's players are facing an uncertain future at the club.
Ilkay Gundogan has already departed to join Barcelona on a free transfer, while Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips have all been linked with a possible summer exit from the Etihad.
With regards to incomings, Man City solitary summer signing thus far is midfielder Mateo Kovacic, while they are hoping to finalise a big-money deal to recruit defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.
Oliver Thomas
