Riyad Mahrez: Manchester City sign winger from Leicester for £60m

Manchester City have broken their club record to sign winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City for £60m.

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal to become the Blues' first recruit since they won the Premier League.

They walked away from a potential deal for the Algerian in January after being put off by Leicester's valuation.

Mahrez said the club's style of play is "perfect" for him and he wanted to be part of a club which is "redefining the English game".

"Watching them from afar has been a pleasure," said Mahrez.

"Pep Guardiola is committed to playing attacking football, and City's performances last season were outstanding.

"I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep's management."

An end to a transfer saga

Riyad Mahrez — Mahrez described Manchester City's performances last season as 'outstanding'

Mahrez was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year during Leicester's surprise Premier League triumph in 2015-16, and leaves the club having scored 48 goals in 179 appearances.

The Foxes said Mahrez had "played his way into the hearts" of supporters during four and a half years with the club.

"His moments of magic will live long in the memory as the club and its fans continue to build a long-term legacy for the success delivered by the teams to which Riyad so memorably contributed," a Leicester statement read.

Mahrez handed in a transfer request in January but his move broke down with Manchester City not prepared to pay a £95m package demanded by Leicester.

He stayed at the King Power Stadium - scoring 12 league goals in 36 games as the Foxes finished ninth in the Premier League - and admitted he had "regrets" over a dispute with the club which saw Professional Footballers' Association offer to mediate.

Manchester City were thought to have offered £50m at the time, but the final fee exceeds the £57m they paid Atletico Madrid for defender Aymeric Laporte in January.

The deal represents a profit in excess of £59m for Leicester, who signed Mahrez from Le Havre for £400,000 in 2014.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

'He beats defenders' - what do Manchester City get for £60m?

Mahrez scored 48 Leicester goals, with 39 of them coming in the Premier League

Only four players created more goals than Mahrez last season — Only four players created more goals than Mahrez in the Premier League last season

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space.

"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."

Mahrez in numbers

In his four seasons at Leicester, Mahrez created 27 goals.
Only Tottenham's Christian Eriksen (214) and Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha (234) attempted more dribbles than his 176 last season.
Since Mahrez made his Premier League debut in 2014, only eight players - Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Eriksen, Jamie Vardy, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane - have been involved in more goals.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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545 comments

Comment posted by goldenvision, at 21:11 10 Jul 2018
Wow. Bought for £400k. 1 premier league title. Sold for £60m. Looks like good business to me.
Comment posted by mustardcustard, at 21:09 10 Jul 2018
Little wonder all the youth players are leaving. Good luck getting into the team Phil Foden.
Comment posted by Knapman, at 21:05 10 Jul 2018
Ok, well now Ronaldo definitely looks a bargain....
Comment posted by D1710666623546, at 21:06 10 Jul 2018
A lot a money for a sub, if he is lucky enough to make the bench
Comment posted by ajc, at 21:15 10 Jul 2018
Maybe the best player City (ie Leicester) have ever had. Good luck to him.
Comment posted by Eddy, at 21:12 10 Jul 2018
Lot of money just to strengthen your bench
Comment posted by James60, at 21:07 10 Jul 2018
Good for both parties .. Looking forward to seeing him play for Man City ..

By a Armchair Fan ..
Comment posted by Mighty_Leicester, at 21:36 10 Jul 2018
It was an honour seeing you play for my team Riyad, thank you for everything and good luck. You will always be a Leicester legend
Comment posted by fieryjackdaw, at 21:06 10 Jul 2018
He's not English, so he might actually get a game.
Comment posted by D1710672623971, at 21:12 10 Jul 2018
Expensive bench warmer...
Comment posted by maineroad8, at 21:53 10 Jul 2018
Interesting that the comments on here with most dignity and gravitas are LCFC fans - you do your club proud. As a city fan (of 40 years) I hope RM plays frequently, a real genius at his best. Hope you keep Maguire, he's your next legend and deservedly so.
Comment posted by Murphy45, at 21:14 10 Jul 2018
Welcome to the Champions Mahrez, you wanted the move so it’s time to see what is in your locker !
Comment posted by User0547926960, at 21:19 10 Jul 2018
Man city fans won't be disappointed, after kante the best player I've seen down the king power. Unbelievable talent can make the best defenders look stupid
Comment posted by D1710804106279, at 21:31 10 Jul 2018
Some mistakenly see him as cover for Sane, but I think Pep sees him as Riyadh Mahrez, who can play in a variety of roles, increase City's options, sprinkle even more stardust, make it more difficult for the opposition to pin down who our game changers are, take some of the weight off their shoulders, and not forgetting David Silva is unfortunately nearing the end of his City career.
Comment posted by Alex Cropley-The Legacy, at 21:07 10 Jul 2018
A good player but not a true world class player
Certainly better value than greedy Sanchez
Comment posted by D1688664621434, at 21:33 10 Jul 2018
£15m cheaper than Van Dijk.
Comment posted by Murphy45, at 22:08 10 Jul 2018
@153 Rhubarb. So by not winning any trophies AGAIN then it is claimed Liverpool have a better side than Man City ? 25 points was the gap, delusional comedy gold, lucky to finish 4th, it amazes me how some people actually think !
Comment posted by Poor Gooner, at 21:59 10 Jul 2018
So Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha bought Leicester City for £39m in 2010 and sells one player for £60m in 2018. Nice! Was he on Dragon's Den?
Comment posted by livingmercerway, at 22:04 10 Jul 2018
@128 David

Spot on - but the jealous haters won't even acknowledge the facts you put before them. Their narrow, partisan views exclude all reason.
What they think of City's owner's contributions to the community - in charity, infrastructure, jobs, housing etc. - heaven only knows.
What a wonderful time to be a Blue!
Comment posted by Andy Wragg , at 21:09 10 Jul 2018
Terrific asset to our forward line. Enables Pep to pick one or two from Mahrez, Jesus or Aguero.

By the way we'll disappointed for Vinnie and KDB tonight but Mtuidi just man marked Kev out the game. C'mon England now it's time for Agincourt Pt 2 albeit 600 years on