Man City and Riyaz Mahrez's big decision amid Saudi transfer talk

He has been a key figure at Manchester City for the last five years, but Riyad Mahrez now faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium.

The Algerian is not alone there, with Bernardo Silva linked with a move away from City once again. At 32, Mahrez is another one of Pep Guardiola's most trusted allies whose journey in blue and white could end sooner rather than later.

Time will ultimately tell, but speculation around a potential move to the Saudi Pro League is swirling. Mahrez would join the list of high-profile players to make the move to the Middle East, should the reported interest amount to anything.

Guardiola will be wary of losing too many of his senior squad at once, though, so any decision on Mahrez will need great thought. Ilkay Gundogan has already left to join Barcelona, after starring in last season's treble-winning campaign.

Also read: Man City defender undergoes Leicester medical ahead of loan move

While Mahrez's game time wasn't as he would've liked last season, the silk and style of the number 26 is still there every time he steps across the white line. The quality is remarkable; there is great joy in watching him pluck the ball out of the sky and move with it seemingly stuck to his foot. A born entertainer - the void left behind will one day be very tough to replace.

Mahrez did not get on the pitch for the FA Cup or Champions League finals, while being overlooked in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the latter. As someone who loves the game, that must've been tough for him to accept. Guardiola rotates his team constantly, but Mahrez had gotten used to being one of the go-to men - especially on the big nights. The wide man did take to Twitter this summer, though, to rubbish a tweet