Mahrez's Arsenal transfer admission and future plans amid Man City exit rumours

27 June 2023 , 05:00

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Mahrez's Arsenal transfer admission and future plans amid Man City exit rumours

Fresh off of winning the treble with Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez is the subject of rumours linking him with the Etihad exit door.

The Algerian international has one year left to run on his current contract with Pep Guardiola's men but is attracting plenty of interest from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli. While that may be the case, the Saudi club have been told there is no chance they will land Mahrez's signature on the cheap, regardless of the fact that this summer could be their last chance to recoup some cash for him.

City's hardline stance on the matter is similar, if not quite as strict, as Leicester's and the way they dealt with Mahrez back in 2016 when he was still plying his trade at the King Power.

Having just helped guide the Foxes to an unforgettable title victory, Mahrez was one of a number of Leicester players being touted with a move to one of the Premier League's big boys.

N'Golo Kante went to Chelsea, Jamie Vardy was linked with Arsenal but it has since emerged Mahrez was even closer to a move to the Emirates.

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However, the Algeria international explained that those at the top of the Leicester hierarchy blocked his transfer to the Gunners, something which he described as "frustrating".

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Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)

"After the title, if I'd left for a top team, it wouldn't have been the same story," Mahrez told France Football back in 2019. "For me, it's clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25.

"Leicester blocked me. They told me: 'You're not leaving, you're not leaving'. My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.

"It wasn't easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation. It's not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner."

Thankfully for City, Leicester weren't quite as firm by the time it came for them to throw their hat in the ring for Mahrez. He has shone since his arrival at the Etihad five years ago.

Half a decade later and Mahrez is thought to be open to departing for Saudi Arabia but wants to know Guardiola's plans for him next term if he were to remain in Manchester.

Al-Alhi will have to fork out quite the sum if they want Mahrez to leave the reigning champions of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, but if they do City, unlike Leicester, won't stand in his way.

Josh O'Brien