Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Riyad Mahrez absent, Joao Cancelo included in Manchester City pre-season squad

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 July 2023, 17:05
Manchester City have named a 25-man squad for their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, and it does not include Riyad Mahrez.

The 32-year-old is set to end his five-year association with the Citizens as they have reportedly accepted a bid of £34.7m from Al-Ahli to sign the winger.

Mahrez is set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of his proposed switch to Al-Ahli, where he will put pen to paper on a three-year contract.

The Algeria international contributed with 15 goals and 13 assists in 47 games during Man City's historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble triumph last season.

Mahrez has won a total of 11 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium including four Premier League titles, and he is now set to become the second high-profile Citizens star to depart the club after Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this summer.

While Mahrez is a notable absentee from Pep Guardiola's pre-season squad, Joao Cancelo has been included, with the Portuguese full-back returning to the Citizens set-up after spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Cancelo has been tipped to leave Man City this summer amid uncertainty over whether he remains in Guardiola's plans going forward, but a departure is not imminent at present so he will join up with the City squad for their tour of Asia.

Fellow full-back Kyle Walker has also been linked with a summer exit, with Bayern Munich believed to be keen to lure him to Germany, but the 33-year-old has been named in Guardiola's squad.

It s understood that Walker has held crunch talks with Guardiola over his future at the club, but it remains to be seen whether the Englishman, who has just a year left on his contract, is in favour of a switch to the Bundesliga champions.

Man City's 25-man squad also includes Bernardo Silva, who is another that has been strongly linked with a summer departure amid interest from Al-Hilal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona - the latter of whom remain in the race for his signature after club president Joan Laporta recently revealed that he "would like" to sign the playmaker.

In addition, Aymeric Laporte is also heading to Asia as Man City are yet to receive a suitable offer for the defender, who has been tipped to be sold as the Citizens pursue a move for top target Josko Gvardiol.

Man City's only summer signing thus far Mateo Kovacic has been included in the squad, along with Kevin De Bruyne who is currently recovering from a hamstring tear sustained in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan.

Last season's top scorer Erling Haaland, who netted a remarkable 52 goals in all tournaments, is also heading to Asia, while youngsters Rico Lewis, James McAtee, Oscar Bobb and Maximo Perrone have been included in Guardiola's squad.

Man City are scheduled to face Yokohama F Marinos and Bayern Munich in Tokyo in their first two pre-season friendlies next week, before heading to Seoul to take on Atletico Madrid on July 30.

Manchester City's 25-man pre-season squad in full:

Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo, Mateo Kovacic, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Aymeric Laporte, Rodrigo, Stefan Ortega, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Gomez, Manuel Akanji, Ederson, Maximo Perrone, Scott Carson, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis, James McAtee

Show more

Top News

26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League stars Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet as Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer move. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will complete their quadruple header when they face off in Thursday's Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday, Barcelona Women will face Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-final tie. 25 March 2025 talksport.com There may be a sky full of stars at Wembley in September, but there will be a pitch full of stars two hours north. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will be fit for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga clash against Osasuna, although Pau Cubarsi faces a battle to prove his fitness in time for the home fixture. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton's Tyler Dibling could be at the centre of a transfer battle in the summer following reports that RB Leipzig have contacted the player's camp. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will return to La Liga action for Thursday's rearranged meeting with Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has encouraged the Citizens to prioritise signing at least two "technically brilliant" midfielders in the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won't be the last player to depart his boyhood club. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are set to come up against a former player at this summer's World Cup who has a staggering trophy record as a coach. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann claims that online abuse remains an issue despite her ever-growing popularity. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Ally McCoist has omitted two of the Premier League's most celebrated stars from his all-time top three attackers from the division. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mohamed Salah undisputedly has a greater Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to enter talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract at the Emirates. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Jr are among SIX marquee signings being plotted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Stan Collymore has issued a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly dreaming of a move to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following the path that Michael Owen and Steve McManaman once ventured down, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been unable to resist the bright lights of the Bernabeu. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form at one specific Premier League club if he leaves Manchester City this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts has conceded that Riccardo Calafiori may be "susceptible" to frequent injuries following his latest blow on international duty with Italy. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was impressed by Morgan Rogers' 'wonderful' performance against Latvia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Mark Clattenburg has opened up on the explosive interactions he shared with some of the Premier League's most iconic managers.