
<p>Manchester City and Saudi Arabia club Al-Ahli agreed on a transfer fee of roughly $39 million for Riyad Mahrez.</p>



<p>The Algerian winger has been considering a transfer to the Saudi Pro League for some time now due to a very substantial contract offer. This summer, Al-Ahli has made many <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> transfers. For example, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino joined the Saudi club.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://theathletic.com/4703640/2023/07/19/riyad-mahrez-al-ahli-transfer-manchester-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em> reports that an agreement has been reached between <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> and Al-Ahli, confirming the player’s transfer to the Saudi club. They claim that the total value of the transaction will be $33 million, with an additional $6 million in potential add-ons.</p>



<h2>Riyad Mahrez agrees Al-Ahli move to Saudi Arabia</h2>



<p>On Thursday, Mahrez will undergo a medical examination before signing a three-year deal with an additional year’s option. No question, the 32-year-old will be a difficult player to replace. </p>



<p>For instance, he was consistently ruthless in the Premier League last year. He contributed a goal every 128 minutes. In a total of 30 Premier League games last year, he contributed 15 goals for his team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Riyad Mahrez was the first African player to win five Premier League titles 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 <a href="https://t.co/OghIczyKYZ">pic.twitter.com/OghIczyKYZ</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1681702946872909824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Manchester City hasfound his replacement</h5>



<p>Manchester City will have a hard time finding a player with such stats. Yet, it already has a process of naming a potential replacement for Mahrez. As a result, the newest rumors have City targeting Barcelona winger Raphinha as its ‘primary’ signing.</p>



<p>The Brazilian winger has Premier League experience following two successful seasons with Leeds United. He joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> for $70 million last summer and has excelled ever since. His first season in La Liga was impressive, as he contributed seven goals and seven assists.</p>



<p>The Athletic adds that the Citizens have a contingency plan to sign a winger after Mahrez’s imminent departure. Nevertheless, the club is resolute in its desire to retain Bernardo Silva. Al-Hilal and other Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in the Portuguese player.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Gonzales Photo</em></p>


Pep Guardiola believes that a Barcelona star will be the perfect alternative when Manchester City sanction a treble-winner departure.

Another treble winner leaves City, his successor lies at Barcelona


<p>Riyad Mahrez scored a phenomenal hat-trick as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> secured their place in the FA Cup Final. The Blues beat Sheffield United 3-0 at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. This is the first time that Pep Guardiola’s side have reached the final of the tournament since 2019. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MAN CITY ARE THROUGH TO THE FA CUP FINAL 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/X3opCJ4eEc">pic.twitter.com/X3opCJ4eEc</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649829818744143877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>City await the winner of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> and Brighton who square off against each at the same venue on Sunday.</p>



<p>Sheffield United started the game brightly and almost scored after just 90 seconds. However, apart from their bright start the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/championship-tv-schedule/">Championship</a> outfit hardly troubled Stefan Ortega’s goal. The Blades defended admirably in the first half, limiting City’s free-flowing rhythm with resolute defending.</p>



<p>However, Paul Heckingbottom’s side were then guilty of undoing all of their good work. Daniel Jebbison lunged at Ilkay Gundogan right on the stroke of half-time to give away a cheap penalty. Riyad Mahrez stepped up to give Manchester City the lead.</p>



<h2>Riyad Mahrez ran the show in the second-half</h2>



<p>City dominated proceedings in the second half, hardly breaking a sweat. Pep Guardiola’s side then made their superiority count when Mahrez scored his second on the hour.</p>



<p>The Algerian received the ball in the final third and with Erling Haaland making a clever decoy run. The 32-year-old then ran at the Blades defense and poked the ball beyond Wes Foderingham.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Riyad Mahrez has a brace in the FA Cup semifinals! 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/qaguvxOT7z">pic.twitter.com/qaguvxOT7z</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649823276531580929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Five minutes later Mahrez completed his hat-trick following a fine City move. Jack Grealish cut inside and squared a pass across the face of goal to the Algerian and he duly added the finish. </p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HAT TRICK FOR RIYAD MAHREZ AT WEMBLEY 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/RK8VGjZ8wj">pic.twitter.com/RK8VGjZ8wj</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649824787009503233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>City almost grabbed a fourth in stoppage time when substitute Phil Foden laid on a perfect pass it for Julian Alvarez, but the Argentine dragged his shot wide.</p>



<h2>Manchester City looking for defensive perfection in FA Cup Final</h2>



<p>Sheffield United barely strung any attacking moves together with the game already over but the Championship side can look back on their run to Wembley with pride.</p>



<p>City, however, become the first side to reach the FA Cup final <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/dominant-manchester-city-achieve-fa-cup-defensive-milestone-not-seen-since-1965-66/bltf71aa73966dc5093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">without conceding</a> a goal since Everton in the 1965/66 season.</p>



<p>The reigning <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> Champions now turn their attention to Wednesday when they host league leaders <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> at the Etihad Stadium.</p>



<p>Photo credit: <strong>IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</strong></p>


Riyad Mahrez scored a fantastic hat-trick to help Manchester City past Sheffield United and into the FA Cup Final

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Riyad Mahrez"

Leagues: EPL

Another treble winner leaves City, his successor lies at Barcelona

FA Cup

Riyad Mahrez hat-trick helps Man City seal FA Cup Final spot