La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly submitted an enquiry to sign Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez, a target for Real Madrid.
According to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato, Riyad Mahrez is becoming a key target for Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants have already established contact for the Manchester City forward, a target for bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Riyad Mahrez has been one of the most eye-catching performers in the Premier League since arriving in England in January 2014. The Algerian international was a brilliant performer for Leicester City, notably delivering a shock Premier League title triumph in the 2015/16 season. And since joining Manchester City in July 2018, the player has stepped his game up further.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 campaign thus far, amassing 22 goals and seven assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. But with a little over a year remaining on his current contract, Mahrez could leave Manchester City in the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid and Barcelona hot on his trail.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the rampant uncertainties surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman is set to become a free agent in the summer transfer window unless he signs a new contract with the Blaugrana. And with Adama Traore not certain to complete a permanent transfer to Barcelona, bringing in an attacking reinforcement is a key need.
Mahrez has thus emerged as a viable option for Barcelona, although Raphinha remains the priority target. And the Catalan giants have already submitted an enquiry for the Algerian international, suggesting they are getting serious about their interest in him. But Barcelona will need to fend off stiff competition from Real Madrid to land Mahrez.
Real Madrid could also delve into the market for a wide-attacker in the summer transfer window as Eden Hazard has become surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu. So while Kylian Mbappe will essentially replace Gareth Bale, Mahrez could come in as a possible successor for the underperforming Belgian international.
Apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on signing Mahrez. But with Barcelona making the first move, it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSG respond, as Mahrez inches closer to possibly leaving Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
