Saudi Arabia wants to become one of the best championships in the world and is putting in the means to achieve this objective. The arrivals of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic prove the seriousness of the new project put in place for the Saudi Pro League, which has already invested no less than 220 million euros in transfer compensation, in addition big salaries offered to convince players to evolve in the championship of the Kingdom.
And after having convinced Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino, the promoted in the elite Al-Ahli now offers the services of the Algerian international winger Riyad Mahrez, from Manchester City. The Jeddah-based club announced the news via a video posted on their social media. We see the 32-year-old Fennec, in Paris, wearing his new colors with Mahrez flocking and the number 2027, thus confirming the duration of the contract signed with the Saudi team.
A transfer of €35 million
Neither the Cityzens nor the royal club communicated the check paid to release the Fennec to 83 selections (30 goals), but the English press had announced the terms of his departure to the Middle East: we are talking about an indemnity of 30 million euros, plus 5 million euros in variables. The 32-year-old, who was under contract with the Skyblues until June 2025, signs a new lease with Al-Raqi (the Elegant in Arabic, the club’s nickname) for the next four seasons.
Riyad Mahrez therefore bids farewell to the Premier League, the championship in which he has played since the 2014-2015 season and his rise to the top flight with Leicester. He also won his first Prmeier League during the incredible epic of the Foxes in 2016 – the year in which he was voted best player in PL, before lifting four others with Manchester City. With the latter, he adds to his record a Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and two Community Shields.
