Riad Mahrez is reportedly considering joining the Saudi professional league, but City are prepared to block his exit this summer while addressing Bernardo Silva's future.
The Algerian winger was a key starter in City's treble winning 2022/23 season, but barely played during the run-in period. Mahrez was frustrated and upset that he did not play a minute in the FA Cup or Champions League final, a source told him.
Silva completed two rounds of 90 minutes in place of Riyaz Mahrez, and the future of the two is interlinked. Early June reports said Silva had asked to leave City to find a new challenge and the club would not stop him if there was a £75m offer. Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be preparing an offer for Silva, while he also has his own suitors in Saudi Arabia.
City are also currently reluctant to sell Mahrez due to Silva's possible exit, although he does have an offer. Saudi side Al Ahli has been offered the 32-year-old a contract worth £45 million a year. Mahrez will make a firm decision in the coming days on whether he wants to leave Manchester City for Ahli, as he realises that designing an exit from the Etihad Stadium in this window could be tricky.
Manchester City have lost club captain Ilkai Gundogan who moved freely to Barcelona, and they will also miss Declan Rice, who moved to Arsenal. Mateo Kovacic joined from Chelsea on Tuesday for £25m, making their first signing this summer.