Riyad Mahrez, the Manchester City winger, is allegedly interested in leaving the club during the January transfer window and Barcelona is ready to make a move for him.

Barçelona is mulling a bid for Manchester City’s Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez. This is according to a report from SPORT. Mahrez is seeking a move away from the Premier League club in the forthcoming transfer window. Barcelona could be a potential destination for his better future.

Mahrez joined the Cityzens in the summer of 2018 from another Premier League club Leicester City, where he previously played. After a rather poor first season, the 30-year-old stepped up his game in his second season at the Etihad and established himself as a major role in Pep Guardiola’s squad, making 157 appearances and contributing 47 goals and 39 assists.

Riyad Maharez has been a utility man for Manchester City, can he do it in the La Liga if he decides to move away from England?

Mahrez, on the other hand, has had his playing time curtailed this season as Pep Guardiola has opted to use Gabriel Jesus on the right-wing in his absence. Even in that situation, the former Leicester City star has made an impact every time he has been given the opportunity, scoring eight goals and assisting on another two in 15 games across all competitions.

Foot Mercato, a French publication, was the first to announce that Mahrez is considering leaving Manchester City in January. Using such information as a foundation, SPORT claims that Barcelona is prepared to sign him during the forthcoming January transfer window.

No mystery exists that the Catalan giants are looking to add a striker to their squad this winter after suffering a rash of injuries during the first part of the season. Ansu Fati has had two separate injuries after returning from an extended period on the sidelines, with Ousmane Dembele suffering a recurrence of his previous ailment on his first outing of the season last month.

Barcelona is in desperate need of a forward and will now look to add Mahrez

With Martin Braithwaite battling an injury of his own, Memphis Depay fluctuating between hot and cold, and Yusuf Demir failing to deliver on the promise he showed during pre-season, the Blaugrana are looking to bolster their offensive options in January. Several reports have suggested that the club is interested in signing Raheem Sterling, while new manager Xavi Hernandez is reportedly contemplating returning loanee Francisco Trincao from Wolves.

Mahrez has also surfaced as a potential transfer target for the Catalan giants. The Algerian international’s contract expires in 2023, which means that he will be approaching the last year of his agreement the following year and might be sold for a good amount if a buyer comes along. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, both of whom have been linked with a bid for the 30-year-old, may put up a fight for his signature, according to reports.

It remains to be seen if Barcelona will pursue their interest in Mahrez or whether they will explore other options to improve their frontline during the mid-season transfer window.