Man City tipped to make ‘great signing’ to fill Mahrez void with £35m exit clause hugely tempting

A proposed replacement for Riyad Mahrez at Manchester City has been dubbed a potentially ‘great signing’, although not as good as the Saudi-bound winger.

Mahrez is expected to complete a £30million move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal after agreeing a three-year deal worth £36m a year. Indeed, the total cost of the transfer in fee and salary will amount o an astonishing £138m.

But with the former Leicester man on his way out of the Etihad door, the focus is on who Pep Guardiola will look to sign as his replacement.

To that end, Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is mentioned as being the subject of genuine interest from the reigning Premier League champions.

The 21-year-old scored, who has also been linked with Chelsea, twice and added 11 assists in 40 appearances for Palace last season and has a bargain release clause of £35m in his current Selhurst Park contract.

Olise, who was at City as a youngster, would have to battle the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez for a regular starting berth, but former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonhalor believes City could do a lot worse than make a move for the Palace attacker.

He told Football Insider: “I don’t think he’s quite as good as Mahrez.

“I really rate Mahrez, and I thought he was really underrated at City. His ball control, his finishing, his dribbling, his creativity.

“City have got to be careful. They’ve lost Gundogan, they’re losing Mahrez.

“Olise would be a great signing, but he’s no Mahrez. Not yet.

“They’ve lost two of their best players and the replacements coming in don’t look to have that same star power.

“City’s rivals will be spotting a bit of weakness in this side now. With the signings Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United are making – they look like they’re catching up.”

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