Contract offer submitted to Man City star as Newcastle United owners eye major deal amid Saudi Arabia spending

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez is the latest player wanted by Saudi Pro League clubs involving Newcastle United’s majority owners the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

PIF, who own 80 per cent of the Magpies following their £305million takeover in October 2021, last week claimed a 75 per cent stake in Al Ahli, Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. The remaining 25% of each club went to non-profit foundations.

Since then, some of the world’s most iconic players have been approached by those clubs, including Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad on a two-year contract worth a reported £172million-per-season.

Indeed, the Frenchman is expected to be joined by fellow countryman N’Golo Kante. The 32-year-old has reached a two-year agreement worth £86m-per-annum as he prepares to leave Chelsea at the end of his contract this month.

And the next Premier League star on Saudi Arabia’s list is Mahrez, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He claims negotiations are underway after Al Ahli have submitted an official contract offer.

Al Ahli, however, must agree a substantial transfer fee with recent treble winners given the Algerian is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2025.

Mahrez famously lifted the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016 before joining Man City two years later. In that time, the 32-year-old has won a further four league titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

It has, however, been suggested that Mahrez is open to leaving this summer after being unhappy with his game time last season.

Away from Mahrez, Saudi Pro League clubs have reportedly tabled contract offers to the likes of Serge Busquets, Paul Pogba, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Wilfried Zaha and Hugo Lloris. Many more household names are expected to follow.