Chelsea have made Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez ‘a target for next summer’ with the forward yet to sign a new contract at the Etihad.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who say the Blues, alongside PSG, have lined themselves up to take advantage of the Algerian’s contract situation.
Mahrez has been in ‘sparkling’ form for Manchester City this season, establishing himself as a key player in the side once again after a summer in which it was suggested he could be sold.
His tally of 21 goals and seven assists in 33 games in all competitions has not gone unnoticed, and PSG and Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign him.
FM say that the French giants are eyeing Mahrez as a replacement for Angel Di Maria, whose contract expires this summer as neither party have moved to extend it yet.
Chelsea are also ‘interested’ though and have been ‘working on the matter for several weeks’ ahead of a move in the summer.
They’ve recently put their transfer business on hold amid the uncertainty caused by Roman Abramovich’s decision to sell the club, but they remain ‘very interested’ in Mahrez nonetheless.
His contract situation means he would be very affordable, with the website speculating a deal can be done between €30-40m.
That’s a deal Chelsea can certainly pull off, and Mahrez, who has ‘seemingly reached his zenith’ this season, would provide Thomas Tuchel with the more ‘effective’ attacking midfielder he is looking for.
Of course, there is still plenty of work to be done before they can get him from Manchester City but Mahrez’s lack of ‘any progress’ on a new deal at the Etihad is seen as a major positive for the Blues’ chances of a deal.
