Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez remains the subject of strong transfer interest from Saudi professional league side Ahli, the source told the Guardian.
The 32-year-old lost his starting spot at the end of the 2022/23 season and is upset that City's victories in the FA Cup and Champions League finals were overlooked, with he remaining a substitute in both games and not playing. Mahrez was in contact with Al Ahly at the end of June and the club was willing to pay him £45 million a year, sources said. He is open to such a move.
However, as was the case last month, Manchester City remain reluctant to let Mahrez go, with Bernardo Silva's future increasingly uncertain being a major factor. The Portugal international has already asked for a summer transfer clearance and Paris Saint-Germain are keen to make him one of Luis Enrique's first signings.
Another player to be watched by Saudi Arabia is Manchester City centre-back Emerick Laporte, who has fallen out of favour. It was previously reported that Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing Laporte, but City have yet to receive any major offers from European clubs.
With interest from across the continent yet to be determined, City are ready to sell him to willing buyers from Saudi Arabia, while Al Ahly is ready to offer him an exit route. Al Ahli also targeted Napoli midfielder Piot Zirinski, who Lazio hope will replace Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, who plays for Al Hilal.