Manchester City’s Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez has completed a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV said yesterday. Al Ekhbariya said on Twitter that Mahrez has become Al Ahli’s latest signing but did not provide further details. The Jeddah-based club have yet to make a formal announcement.
Mahrez scored 78 goals and made 59 assists in 236 appearances in all competitions with City, and won 11 trophies at the club, including five league titles following his move from Leicester City in 2018. The 32-year-old saw his role for Pep Guardiola’s side reduced last season, scoring 15 goals in 47 games, but missing out on action in the FA Cup and Champions League finals as City won a historic treble.
Last year he, renewed his contract until 2025. Mahrez becomes the latest big-name signing in the Saudi Pro League, which has become an attractive destination for Europe-based players since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr last January.
Al Ahli, who sealed promotion to the Pro League after spending one season in the second division last term, have also signed Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino on a free transfer and Chelsea’s Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a three-year deal. Last month, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project involving the league champions Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

Marseille sign Aubameyang from Chelsea
Olympique de Marseille have signed Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Chelsea, the Ligue 1 club said. British media reported that Chelsea had terminated Aubameyang’s contract, which had one year to run, following a disappointing spell with the west London side.
The 34-year-old striker made just five Premier League starts, netting once against Crystal Palace in October. He also scored twice in the Champions League group stage but was then left out of Chelsea’s squad for the knockout stages.
The returns to France 10 years after his stint at St Etienne, where he spent three seasons from 2010-2013. Aubameyang also played for Ligue 1 clubs Lille and AS Monaco early in his career before having successful spells with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. He is Gabon’s record scorer with 30 goals in 73 matches and was named the African Footballer of the Year in 2015. He retired from international soccer in 2022, but announced his return to the Gabon team this year.

Alba joins Inter Miami on free transfer
Former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has joined Inter Miami until the 2024 season with an option to extend his contract until 2025, the Major League Soccer side said on Thursday. Alba arrives on a free transfer after his Barcelona contract was terminated by mutual agreement in May after 11 years in the club.
The 34-year-old left-back will join former Barcelona team mates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, who arrived earlier to the Florida side.
Alba has made 93 international appearances for Spain and was part of the squad which won Euro 2012.

Burnley complete winger Redmond signing
Newly promoted Premier League club Burnley signed Nathan Redmond on a free transfer after the former Southampton winger left Turkish club Besiktas. Redmond agreed a two-year contract with Burnley, who have the option of further season’s extension to his deal. The 29-year-old was a free agent after leaving Besiktas following a single season in Turkey, where he scored six goals in 28 games.
Redmond, who has one England cap, has played 264 times in the Premier League after spending six years at Southampton and three seasons at Norwich.
Redmond is Burnley’s fifth close-season signing after their Championship-winning campaign. Earlier this week, the Clarets brought in Switzerland striker Zeki Amdouni from Basel and England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City.