Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is reportedly edging closer to a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Al Ahli submitting an offer, which the Premier League champions are reportedly likely to accept.
According to Sam Lee of The Athletic, Manchester City are stepping up plans to replace the Algerian winger as his £30 million move to Saudi Arabia edges closer.
City are prepared to accept the offer presented by the Saudi club, and the report also states that sources in the Middle East say that a medical has been organised for later this week.
The European champions have been aware of the possibility of Mahrez looking to leave Manchester for a while and they have drawn up replacements in the event the 32-year-old were to leave the Etihad.
City have also, according to the same report, doubled down in their attempts to keep Portuguese winger Bernardo Silva.
The former Monaco man has been linked to Al-Hilal this summer, but The Athletic claim that Pep Guardiola’s side are determined to hold on to the 28-year-old star.
Replacement for Riyad Mahrez desired by Manchester City
As mentioned, City are seeking a replacement for Mahrez, who joined the club in 2018, but the article from Sam Lee doesn’t state any names that City could be interested in.
A surprise name who was linked with City back in June was Brighton and Hove Albion winger Julio Enciso.
The Paraguayan winger scored a stunning goal for the Seagulls against City and, according to The Mirror, Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the youngster.
The winger could be the ideal candidate to replace the £200,000-a-week (SalarySport) Mahrez, and the 19-year-old would certainly be hungry for success at the Etihad.
The hunger and determination will be key for Guardiola and City, which is partly why, you’d expect, that City are targeting Josko Gvardiol and potentially Enciso as they look to push again after winning the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season..
These are two players who haven’t proven themselves on the big stage but who could come in and develop astronomically under the tutelage of Guardiola.
Whether Brighton would sanction the sale of a young player before they reach their true potential remains to be seen.
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