Al Ahli players push for Riyad Mahrez reunion as Saudi rivals monitor free-agent move

Reports in Saudi Arabia say Riyad Mahrez could return to Al Ahli during the current summer transfer window, only weeks after the club ended his contract unexpectedly.

Al Ahli decided to terminate the Algeria international’s deal unilaterally at the end of last season, despite one year remaining on the contract. Mahrez had spent three seasons with the Saudi Pro League club after joining them from Manchester City.

However, Saudi journalist Abdulaziz Al-Marsel has reported that the 34-year-old may now be brought back on a free transfer.

Writing on the Nabd Tuwaig platform, Al-Marsel said Al Ahli’s players wanted Mahrez to return. He added that one of the club’s players had already contacted the winger to establish his position.

According to Al-Marsel, Mahrez would be willing to rejoin Al Ahli if he received the same salary as before.

The possibility of a return comes as Mahrez is also being considered by Al Ittihad, Al Ahli’s neighbours and traditional rivals. Al Ittihad are looking for a new right winger to replace France international Moussa Diaby, and Mahrez is understood to be among the players under consideration.

Despite Al Ittihad’s interest, Mahrez is said to favour a return to Al Ahli.

“Riyad Mahrez will be between Al Ittihad or Al Ahli, and there is a demand from Al Ahli players for his return, while he does not object to returning,” Al-Marsel said in a broadcast shared on social media.

There has also been speculation that Al Shabab are close to signing Mahrez as a free agent. The Riyadh-based club, however, had not announced an agreement with the player at the time of the report.

Mahrez joined Al Ahli after a highly successful spell at Manchester City, where he won multiple domestic trophies and the UEFA Champions League. His departure from the Saudi club at the end of last season came as a surprise because his contract still had a further year to run.

The latest reports therefore raise the prospect of an unusual reversal, with Mahrez potentially returning to the same club that ended his contract. Any transfer would be on a free basis, although the player’s salary is expected to be central to negotiations.

No official announcement has yet been made by Al Ahli, Al Ittihad or Al Shabab regarding Mahrez’s next destination.