In January, after seeing a bid getting rejected for him, Premier League champions, Manchester City have already made Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City their first big by signing winger Mahrez for this season.
Mahrez leaves Leicester for Manchester City
The defending champions have completed the signing of the winger for £60 million (€68m/$80m) on Tuesday. The 27-year old has joined hands with Pep Guardiola side for five years after the two finally came to agree.
“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola, Mahrez told the club’s website.
Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game, and I wanted to be a part of it.
“I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management.”
Earlier, the reports suggested the deal has finally been done, and both the parties have come to a settlement. However, Mahrez was pretty close to joining Man City. They made an offer on the last day of the transfer window in January, this year. And apparently, he submitted a transfer request to foxes.
Although the former Premier League winners rejected the bid and City backed out, Pep Guardiola suggested they would return afterward for Mahraz in summer.
And Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s Director of Football, said he is delighted to have finally captured one of the best players in the English top flight.
“Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space,” he said. “Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players.
“We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.”
Riyad Mahrez had joined the former team Leicester City in January 2014. He had definitely helped them get the first place in the championship.
Post two years, he gained the title of (PFA) Player of the year by scoring 17 goals, and the further count went up to ten more when they won the Premier League title a couple of years back.