Reports suggest that Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez, two players from Manchester City, are attracting interest from a Saudi Pro League team.
According to 90min, Al Ahli, a club from the Saudi Pro League, is keen on securing the services of Laporte and Mahrez. Both players found themselves on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup in the previous season. Mahrez, the Algerian winger, had limited playing time and was notably absent from both the FA Cup and Champions League finals. Meanwhile, Laporte, the Spanish defender, only made 12 appearances in the Premier League.
Laporte has previously been linked with potential moves to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur during the ongoing transfer window. The possibility of a move to Saudi Arabia doesn’t come as a surprise, given the recent trend of high-profile signings by clubs from that region. It is claimed that Manchester City is prepared to offload Laporte, while Mahrez allegedly had contact with Al Ahli at the end of June. The report further suggests that a lucrative annual salary of £45 million may be on offer for the players.
In other transfer news, Football Insider states that there is considerable interest in Jadel Katongo, an 18-year-old prospect from Manchester City’s academy. Numerous English Football League (EFL) clubs, along with teams from France and Germany, are said to be monitoring the young center-back.
Manchester City is reportedly open to the idea of loaning out Katongo during the summer transfer window, hoping that he follows the path of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, another promising youngster who recently made a breakthrough. Katongo showcased his abilities last season, scoring five goals in 30 appearances for Manchester City’s Under-18 Premier League team, which clinched both the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2 titles. Although the interested clubs remain unnamed, it is believed that they are all willing to pursue a loan deal rather than a permanent transfer.