By our correspondent
Manchester City have accepted a bid from Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli for winger Riyad Mahrez, Sportgister.com.ng understands.
A £45m-a-year contract has been offered to Mahrez, whose interest was piqued earlier this summer, and the Algeria international spoke with Pep Guardiola recently to confirm his desire to leave the club and head to the Middle East.
Guardiola, while reluctant to lose Mahrez, has a policy of never blocking an exit for an unhappy player and the manager made it clear to City’s decision-makers that they should listen to offers from Al Ahli.
A fee of around €35m has now been agreed between the two clubs, with Mahrez due to fly to Saudi Arabia for a medical ahead of putting pen to paper on a contract.
Should all go to plan, Mahrez will become Al Ahli’s third blockbuster signing of the summer. The Saudi side signed Roberto Firmino on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired and later struck a deal to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea.
City are now looking for a replacement for Mahrez and had been among the suitors of Brazilian international Malcom, who is also heading out to Saudi Arabia to join Al Hilal.
