Guardiola: Saudis money transforms the market

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola shared today that the Saudi Arabian sides have changed football’s transfer market after Riyad Mahrez left the Sky Blues to join Al Ahli.

Pep Guardiola has given his thoughts on big money transfers to the Saudi Pro League… ✍️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/5lxoJFn2HO

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 29, 2023

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Riyad, who netted 78 goals and had 59 assists for City in his time at the club, decided to continue his career in Saudi Arabia. The Premier League side will get almost 39 million dollars for the player.

Media asked Pep if he wanted Mahrez to be part of his squad for the upcoming season, and Guardiola answered that the answer to that question is positive.

“The Arabian country has changed the market. During the summer, when Cristiano Ronaldo was the only 1 to go, no one thought this many elite players would go to the Saudi league only a few months later.”

“In perspective, there will be more, and that’s why teams must be familiar with what is happening. Mahrez got an enormous offer, and that’s why we could not say, ‘Don’t go.'”