https://theathletic.com/4695914/2023/07/17/mahrez-saudi-arabia-transfer-man-city/
Riyad Mahrez closer to Saudi Arabia transfer as Manchester City step up winger plans
By Sam Lee
9m ago
Manchester City are stepping up plans to sign a winger as Riyad Mahrez edges closer to a £30m move to Al Ahly.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Saudi Pro League club had made a proposal worth roughly £25m per year in wages to Mahrez, and it is believed the 32-year-old has now approved those terms.
City are ready to accept the bid and there are reports in the Middle East that a medical has been scheduled for this week.
City have been aware of the possibility of losing Mahrez this summer and
have been drawing up plans to replace him with a new winger in case he were to approve the transfer.
At the same time, they have also doubled down on attempts to keep Bernardo Silva, who has also been approached by Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
City would like to keep both Mahrez and Bernardo, but realise that the Algerian winger is open to the move away.
What the treble winners do not want to do is lose both players, and they are intent on keeping Bernardo.
Having seen Declan Rice move to Arsenal for £100m plus £5m in add-ons, City have used that fee as a bench mark for Bernardo, and have made it clear to the player just how important he is to their plans for next season.
With Ilkay Gundogan departing for Barcelona and Rice opting to join Arsenal rather than City,
Bernardo is seen as the ideal candidate to slot into Pep Guardiola’s midfield without having to enter the transfer market.
By losing Mahrez, though, they appreciate the need to bring in a new face to replace him.