- Man City linked with making fresh approach for Riyad Mahrez in the summer
- Reports claimed they failed with a £60m+ bid on deadline-day deal
- Injuries made move make sense, but debatable if needed moving forward
- READ MORE: Manchester City poised to beat Manchester United to £50million transfer
Although it seemed as though Man City needed an immediate reinforcement given injuries, Pep Guardiola is reportedly still keen on Riyad Mahrez.
As per BBC Sport, Leroy Sane was ruled out for six weeks after suffering an ankle injury, and so the German international is currently in the treatment room along with injured forward Gabriel Jesus.
That made City’s reported move for Leicester City star Mahrez in last month’s transfer window understandable, with Sky Sports noting how they bid £60m plus a player swap deal to try and prise the Algerian international away from the Foxes.
Ultimately, they failed. Mahrez is still with Leicester and so with the rest of the season to prepare for with Sane and Jesus eventually coming back, it would have made sense if the interest faded away.
According to The Sun though, the Premier League leaders will try again in the summer as Guardiola is still seemingly keen on adding the 26-year-old to his squad whether he’s got an injury problem or not.
As noted above, the short-term gain of signing Mahrez in January made sense. City needed cover as they look to maintain their healthy position at the top of the league table while also competing for the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
Beyond this season though, with all of his current options available to him, it would seem as though there isn’t necessarily a huge need to sign another attacking player with Sane, Jesus, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling all vying for places.
However, with Sky Sports noting how Mahrez is said to be ‘depressed’ after failing to get his deadline-day move, it looks as though he might get his wish of moving on this summer if Guardiola has anything to do about it.