Manchester City could face a battle to keep Riyad Mahrez following reports in France which suggest Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a bold move.
Mahrez has been a revelation for City this season. He is the club’s leading goalscorer with 24 goals and has also chipped in eight assists. It is form that has not gone unnoticed elsewhere with PSG said to be in the hunt.
Respected French football journalist Nabil Djellit has claimed that PSG are keen to strike a deal. The Parisians could be in need of a replacement for Angel Di Maria and Mahrez would be perfect.
Di Maria replacement needed
Di Maria’s contract in the French capital is running down. There is no sign of him penning a new one and PSG are preparing for life without him. Replacements are being eyed and Mahrez is a top target.
PSG are also well aware of Mahrez’s contract situation at Manchester City. The player’s contract expires in the summer of 2023 and has yet to agree a new one.
An offer which will see an increase in his £120,000 a week wages is said to be on the table. Mahrez has yet to make a decision but Teamtalk sources believe he is close to signing.
Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are also in the same boat as Mahrez. Barcelona are showing a very keen interest in Sterling, while reports claim that Arsenal are closing on a deal for Jesus.
Out of all three players, it is thought that Mahrez is the most likely to re-sign. However it now remains to be seen if the PSG interest could change things.
At 31 this could be his last chance of a move to PSG if he fancies something different. The reports have suggested that PSG are already a touch reluctant to sign another player in his 3os. They already have Lionel Messi and Neymar in that bracket and are keen to sign younger players.
Manchester City rate him highly
However the fact that Mahrez has been scoring goals for fun for City shows that age is not an issue. The former Leicester City star still has some of his best days ahead of him.
City…