Algerian footballer, Riyad Mahrez could be the latest big-name player heading to Saudi Arabia following reports of Manchester City agreeing to a £30 million bid from Al-Ahli.
The Manchester City winger was not included in Wednesday’s list of a 25-man City squad due to leave for a pre-season tour in Japan and South Korea. It was gathered that he was given permission not to go on the tour provided City received a bid that met its valuation for him.
City hasn’t officially confirmed the agreement of a deal for Mahrez with Al-Ahli, a Jeddah-based team which has this offseason signed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea and striker Roberto Firmino following the end of his deal at Liverpool.
It is also speculated that Mahrez who is now set to depart for Saudi Arabia after five-trophy laden seasons at Manchester City, struck personal terms with Al-Ahli on a lucrative three-year contract with the option for a fourth, believed to be worth nearly £500,000 a week.
32-year-old Mahrez will undergo a medical at the club tomorrow.
A slew of other top soccer stars have moved to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League this offseason as the oil-rich kingdom embarks on an attempt to raise the profile of its league.
It’s been also reported that Liverpool have agreed to a £12m deal plus add-ons to sell England midfielder Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq.
The likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Neves have already followed Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia this summer, while Steven Gerrard has been named Al-Ettifaq manager and Michael Emenalo has been appointed the SPL’s director of football.
The country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also taken over four of the SPL’s leading clubs, including Al-Ahli, as the league aims to become one of the top five in the world.
