RIYADH — Manchester City’s Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez has completed a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV said on Friday.
Al Ekhbariya said on Twitter that Mahrez has become Al-Ahli’s latest signing but did not provide further details. The Jeddah-based club has yet to make a formal announcement.
Mahrez scored 78 goals and made 59 assists in 236 appearances in all competitions with City, and won 11 trophies at the club, including five league titles following his move from Leicester City in 2018.
The 32-year-old saw his role for Pep Guardiola’s side reduced last season, scoring 15 goals in 47 games, but missing out on action in the FA Cup and Champions League finals as City won a historic treble.
Last year he renewed his contract until 2025.
Mahrez becomes the latest big-name signing in the Saudi Pro League, which has become an attractive destination for Europe-based players since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr last January.
Al-Ahli, who sealed promotion to the Pro League after spending one season in the second division last term, has also signed Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino on a free transfer and Chelsea’s Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a three-year deal.
Last month, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project involving the league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
This comes as Al-Ettifaq, now managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, have agreed a £12 million deal for Liverpool club captain and England international midfielder Jordan Henderson.
These recent signings and attempted signings demonstrate the growing lure of the Saudi Pro League to a wide array of talent in Europe and around the world.
Manchester City is considering Lyon starlet Bradley Barcola as a potential replacement for Mahrez.
Barcola made his senior debut for Lyon back in January 2023, but instantly become a key player for the club – scoring five goals and bagging eight assists in 25 Ligue 1 appearances.
City, though, are not the only admirers for the 20-year-old as Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig have also made enquiries about Barcola’s potential availability this summer. Indeed, PSG are pushing hard to strike a deal and have already spoken with his representative Jorge Mendes.
The forward has, however, recently admitted that he is keen to stay at OL beyond the current transfer window, saying: “I need a season to confirm [my progress]. You mustn’t forget that I’ve only had six months. I feel good at OL.
“I hope I’ll continue to receive the coach’s confidence. I don’t know how the transfer window will go, but I don’t see why I would leave. I need to have a good full season, where I’m a starter from the off.”
Lyon coach Laurent Blanc added his opinion that he does not think Barcola or Cherki, strongly linked with Chelsea too, should be moving this summer.
“I may be a little selfish but Cherki didn’t have many games as a starter before the second half of the season,” he said. “Cherki like Barcola, being called upon by a big club is one thing, but winning is another. I advise them to stay another year in Lyon.”
