Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has hinted at a potential striker signing after the club announced Riyad Mahrez’s departure.
Man City confirmed Mahrez's departure on Friday (July 28). He joined the Club in 2018 and played 236 games for them where he scored 78 goals and provided 59 assists.
With the Algerian’s departure, Man City now have one spot to fill and Guardiola has not ruled out a signing.
“The market is open until the end of August... I think a few things or many things are going to happen,” Guardiola on signing a winger.
“We will see if we need wingers or inside players, we will see what happens with loan players, which players stay here or no.”
Man City boss also talked about the inevitable rise of the Saudi Pro League and showed his concerns over the league.
He also admitted that he did not want to lose the Algerian but he was “powerless” to prevent the transfer as Mahrez was offered a £750,000-a-week contract.
“Riyad got an incredible offer and that's why we could not say ‘don't do it’. Definitely our thoughts were for Riyad to stay here.
“I enjoyed as a manager to be with him. I had a special relationship with him. Our relationship was with incredible respect.”
Guardiola also claimed that Premier League’s position as the richest league may be in danger with the unstoppable rise of the Saudi league.
“It is not about a threat, it is a reality. They (Saudi Arabia) want to create a strong league and so far they are the league who can do it,” he said.
“The Premier League spent more than the other because the organisation is better and the broadcasts (revenues) are higher.
“Right now with the Saudi league, I don't know how long they will sustain that. But the players want to take this experience and play in that league.”
It must be noted that the Saudia Pro League have taken the football world by storm in the last seven months.
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo — who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 — made his move to the Middle East, we have seen names like Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, N’golo Kante and many others following in the footsteps of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.