Mahrez finally gets his dream move to Man City

LONDON: Algerian international Riyad Mahrez secured his move to Manchester City on Tuesday, with the Premier League champions paying a reported club-record £60 million ($79.6 million) for the winger.It comes seven months after City refused to pay Leicester’s asking price of £80 million, having offered £50 million plus young winger Patrick Roberts, who was valued at £15 million.This time though Leicester said they had sold him in a club-record deal.The 27-year-old — a pivotal figure when Leicester stormed to a shock Premier League title in 2016 — signed a five-year contract.“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola,” Mahrez told the Manchester City website.“Watching them from afar has been a pleasure.“Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding.”Mahrez, who was so upset at not gaining his move to City at the beginning of the year he sat out two matches, said his new club were revolutionising the game in England.“They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Mahrez.“I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management.”City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said Mahrez’s attacking qualities would add even more of a cutting edge to a side which already has an abundance of talent such as Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero.“Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space,” said Begiristain.“We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.”Leicester paid a fulsome tribute to the departing star.“In the four-and-a-half years since Riyad signed for the Foxes, he has played his way into the hearts of all Leicester City supporters,” read a club statement.“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.”

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