Pep Guardiola offers coy response when asked about Riyad Mahrez’s future at Man City

Pep Guardiola admitted that other sides ‘would like to have’ Riyad Mahrez, when he was quizzed on the Manchester City winger’s future.

The former Leicester City man has been one of City’s best performers in recent months and scored twice in the club’s last Premier League game, the 4-1 victory over Manchester United.

However, Mahrez’s contract at the Etihad is set to expire in the summer of 2023, with reports of an extension thin on the ground.

The Sun claimed in November that City had ‘stepped up’ their efforts to tie Mahrez down to a long-term deal, but four months on and a new deal is yet to be agreed.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Mahrez’s situation and could be tempted to make a move for the player, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.

Speaking ahead of City’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night, Guardiola did little to cool speculation that one of his star assets could leave the club in the near future.

Asked about Mahrez’s contract, the Catalan said: “Yeah he’s an exceptional player, it’s all I can say. He’s a player that many teams would like to have.

“He knows my opinion, especially with him,” Guardiola added in his pre-match press conference. “I try to push him a lot, we struggle together because I know the quality he has and he’s a player I admire for the fact he handles the pressure, he likes to play in the biggest stages.

“It’s difficult to find that, players like him. Not just me, the whole club has an incredibly high opinion of him and his quality, no doubt about that.”

Mahrez’s best season?

The Algerian international has already netted 21 times in all competitions for City this season, which, with over two months of the term left to play, is his highest tally in a single campaign.

It’s also more than anyone else has scored for the team in 2021/22, with the next highest being Raheem Sterling on 13.

Despite that, Guardiola does not necessarily think this is Mahrez’s best season so far in a sky blue shirt.

“He’s scored a lot of goals, penalties, assists and everything and part of that is the quality,” said the City manager. “He reads the game perfectly when he has to attack or give an extra pass.

“But I will not say it’s his best season or not because he’s played in the Premier League for many seasons at a high level, last season for example he was exceptional. The final quarter of the season until the end he was so important and playing really well.”