Following a great deal of speculation, Riyad Mahrez has now confirmed that he has reached an agreement to sign with Al-Ahli. Raphinha, who currently plays for Barcelona, is the subject of significant interest as a potential reinforcement for Manchester City’s roster for this position.

According to Fabrizio Romano, an expert on transfers, Manchester City has reportedly reached an agreement with Al-Ahli about the details of the paperwork, and Riyad Mahrez will be moving to Arabia with a deal worth 35 million euros that will last until June 2027.

 

This shortfall will force Manchester City to bring in a new player as a replacement, and Foot Mercato says that they have their sights set on Raphinha as a potential target for the club’s attention.

It has been reported by a number of reliable sources that Raphinha’s agent, Deco, has been approached by Manchester City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, in order to enquire about the possibility of the player leaving the club.

There is no question that the Brazilian player’s career would benefit significantly from a transfer to Manchester City. This is a wonderful opportunity. The manager, Pep Guardiola, is rumored to have a great deal of affection for the winger who hails from the country of Samba.

As a result of his time spent with Leeds United, Raphinha is already familiar with the Premier League. Barcelona is now experiencing financial difficulties, which has left the club open to considering any serious bids for their players.

Before making the move to Barcelona, Raphinha was a member of Leeds United from 2020 until 2022. During that time, he contributed 12 assists and scored 17 goals for the Yorkshire-based team.

Last summer, both Arsenal and Chelsea were considering making a move for the winger, but in the end, he decided to go with the Catalan giants. The Brazilian international had a fantastic first season playing for Barcelona, contributing to 22 goals across all competitions and assisting the squad in winning the La Liga title ahead of their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid.

 

Even if Manchester City still possesses players who are capable of filling the vacuum left by Mahrez, the club might benefit from adding quality reinforcements in order to better handle the rigors of a lengthy and hard season.

It is estimated that Raphinha’s market value is somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty million euros. With Manchester City’s budget increased by 35 million euros thanks to the sale of Mahrez, it is now possible for the club to make a transfer.