Riyad Mahrez had an uncertain future at Manchester City as his contract expired in 2023 with no new deal on the horizon, but Foot Mercato says Premier League champions are finally moving forward in overtime.
According to the report by Santi Aouna and Aurelien Leger-Moec, talks with City and Mahrez have “advanced” and could be signing a new deal this summer. Pep Guardiola “wants” the Algerian international to stay and can achieve his desire.
Gabriel Jesus is about to sign for Arsenal and Raheem Sterling is in talks over a move to Chelsea, so the City coach could be missing two wide strikers. He has signed Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, but would only feature Jack Grealish, who is a natural outsider.
Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva may act in the impromptu role, but the pair played mostly in the middle this season. Mahrez scored 24 goals with nine assists in 47 games, so it’s too important to let him go at the same time as Jesus and Sterling.
There was also no obvious destination for the 31-year-old, so it makes sense for him to stay in Manchester. Foot Mercato says Mahrez could only extend his contract for another 12 months, so his move to the Etihad will eventually be over.
In other news, the Man City man had turned his head in 2021 and sent a text message to Barcelona officials for a transfer