Man City lose ANOTHER star to Saudi Pro League

Stuart Telford

• 20 Aug 2023 11:10 BST
• 4 min read

Riyad Mahrez is set to be joined in the Saudi Pro League by former Manchester City teammate Aymeric Laporte, according to reports.

Mahrez joined Al-Ahli in a €35m transfer last month, and now Al-Nassr have made a move for Laporte, lodging an undisclosed bid believed to be in the region of the fee City achieved for Mahrez.

The English champions have accepted the bid in any case, leaving the decision to leave in the Spain centre-back's hands. And according to sources in his adopted homeland, Laporte is ready to make the switch.

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"With the figure already agreed upon, the ball is in Laporte's court," reports Relevo's Jonathan Ramos. "It is up to the player whether or not his future is in Saudi Arabia. Sources close to the transfer suggest he is leaning in that direction, and the club have already requested a medical."

Increased competition at City

Laporte joined City from Athletic Bilbao in a €65m transfer in January 2018 and was, injury permitting, first choice at the heart of their defence for much of his five-and-a-half-year stay, but he fell out of favour last season despite returning to fitness.

City have since signed Josko Gvardiol - another left-footed centre-back - from RB Leipzig for €90m, knocking Laporte further down the pecking order of defenders at the Etihad.

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Laporte's international allegiance could give an indication as to how this transfer will go.

A Premier League-winning centre-back, the Agen-born 29-year-old was repeatedly overlooked by France boss Didier Deschamps, and elected to play for Spain instead in 2021.

Laporte would join a formidable cast at Al-Nassr. As well as former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Knights of Najd had added a host of top European players.

Sadio Mane has arrived from Bayern Munich, with Seko Fofana (Lens) and Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan) bolstering their midfield.