Al Ahli have agreed a deal to sign Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City in a deal worth €35million (£30.4m, $39.2m) plus €5m in add-ons.
Mahrez, 32, is set to undergo a medical tomorrow ahead of his proposed move to the Saudi Pro League side. He will sign a three-year contract with a conditional fourth.
The Algeria international was left out of City’s 25-man squad for their pre-season trip to Japan.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that the deal was moving closer, with the Etihad Stadium club aware of the possibility of losing Mahrez this summer. They have been drawing up plans to replace him with a new winger in case a move transpired.
At the same time, City have also doubled down on attempts to keep Bernardo Silva, who has also been approached by Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
City would like to keep both Mahrez and Bernardo, but realise that the Algerian winger is open to the move away.
What the treble winners do not want to do is lose both players, and they are intent on keeping Bernardo.
Having seen Declan Rice move to Arsenal for £100m plus £5m in add-ons, City have used that fee as a benchmark for Bernardo, and have made it clear to the player just how important he is to their plans for next season.
By losing Mahrez, though, they appreciate the need to bring in a new face to replace him.
Al Ahli, meanwhile, have already signed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea and Roberto Firmino on a free transfer from Liverpool.
GO DEEPER
Problematic? Yes. But Saudi is the cash cow the Premier League needs
(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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