Riyad Mahrez will leave Manchester City for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in a £30million deal, leaving Pep Guardiola to consider a like-for-like replacement in Barcelona star Raphinha
Manchester City could try to replace Saudi-Arabia bound Riyad Mahrez with Barcelona’s £40m-rated winger Raphinha.
Pep Guardiola is understood to admire Raphinha and City are weighing up a move, with Barca needing to raise funds before they can register their new signings. Mahrez is joining Saudi side Al-Ahli after City accepted a £30m bid for the winger.
Mahrez was left out of City’s travelling squad for their pre-season tour of the Far East after the two clubs agreed the fee. The 32-year-old winger, who joined City from Leicester in 2018 for £60m, was given permission to miss the tour after City received a fresh bid that met their valuation.
Raphinha joined Barcelona in a £55m move from Leeds last summer and has 10 goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances for the club. But Barca may be forced into selling with their well-publicised financial problems still affecting Xavi Hernandez’s transfer plans.