Manchester City target Raphinha as Mahrez replacement- Right option?

Manchester City have reportedly identified Barcelona winger Raphinha as a potential option to replace Riyad Mahrez.

The Treble-winners and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli have reached an agreement worth €35m for Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international, 32, scored 15 goals from 47 games in the Sky Blues’ Treble-winning season. However, he was an unused substitute for both the FA Cup and Champions League finals and Pep Guardiola has opted to let the winger leave this summer, despite having two years remaining on his contract.

The Sky Blues were aware of the possibility of losing Mahrez this summer. Pep Guardiola and the club have been planning to replace him with a new winger in case a move materialises. And according to French outlet Foot Mercato, Manchester City have already initiated contact with Barcelona over a deal to sign Raphinha this summer.

Raphinha, 26, initially found it challenging to adapt to the demands of La Liga following his move from Leeds United last summer. But he recovered well to finish the 2022/23 campaign strongly, registering ten goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances as Barcelona won the La Liga title.

However, amid the Catalan club’s well-publicised financial problems, the Brazilian winger faces an uncertain future at Nou Camp. The report adds as Barcelona need to raise up to €60m by August 31 to register their new signings and players who signed up last year, selling Raphinha would do well for the club’s finances.

Raphinha to Manchester City—A good replacement for Mahrez?

Manchester City have already lost captain and star midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer to Barcelona and they are on the brink of losing Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli as well. Mahrez will leave a hole in Man City’s attack and Pep Guardiola is planning to dip into the market to bring in his replacement.

Raphinha is now on Guardiola’s radar, with City having already established initial contacts with Barcelona over a possible deal. Barcelona would seemingly be open to selling Raphinha after just one season in order to raise funds to comply with the FFP rules but the Brazilian wideman wants to stay.

Raphinha was excellent in the Premier League for Leeds United, helping the club avoid relegation in his second and final campaign. Overall, he scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in 67 appearances for Leeds as the Brazilian quickly became a crowd favourite at Elland Road.

A left-footed, right-winger by trade, the 26-year-old would be a fantastic like-for-like replacement for Mahrez. He has the qualities to fit into Guardiola’s system at City whilst adding to the vital depth of the squad. The ex-Rennes man’s arrival would bolster the Sky Blues’ attacking unit, bringing in the kind of trickery, creativity and work rate in abundance that Mahrez provided over the years.

To add that kind of attacking flair, paired with such superb striking quality on the ball and work ethic off it, it seems like Guardiola could be set to bring another player to perfectly align with his philosophy to his squad. On the back of winning the La Liga with Barcelona, Raphinha’s talent and Premier League experience could make him a fantastic addition to City’s attacking roster.