Manchester City are eager to keep Bernardo Silva at the club amid Riyad Mahrez’s imminent exit to Al-Ahli.
Mahrez has been granted permission to miss City’s pre-season trip to Japan and South Korea after the Premier League champions agreed a £30m fee with Al-Ahli for the Algerian winger.
Mahrez scored 15 goals in all competitions last season, but was an unused substitute during the club’s Champions League and FA Cup finals and will be allowed to leave for The Saudi Pro League.
The 32-year-old’s departure will increase Manchester City’s desire to retain Bernardo Silva, who has also been linked with an exit. The versatile midfielder has agitated for a move away from the club in recent transfer windows and has been named as a transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The Telegraph are reporting that City are ‘eager’ to keep hold of both the Portugal international and Kyle Walker, with the latter subject of an approach from Bayern Munich. However, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte will be allowed to leave should suitable offers arrive, while there is loan interest in Cole Palmer.
Palmer impressed as England u21s won the European Championship this summer, but made just two starts in the Premier League last season, each of which came after City had wrapped up the league title. Brighton are understood to be leading the chase for the 21-year-old, with Leicester and Burnley also interested.
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