KEY POINTS

  • Riyad Mahrez is the leading goal scorer for City this season
  • He has been with City since 2018
  • City to next face Everton in the Premier League

The transfer rumors regarding Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez ahead of the January window have been reportedly labelled "fake."

Mahrez, who is contracted with Manchester City until 2023, has fallen down in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order at Etihad Stadium. Out of City’s 11 Premier League games, Mahrez has started only two. Overall, the Algeria national has made 15 competitive appearances for City, scoring eight goals and two assists.

The 30-year-old ended up being an unused substitute in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over derby rivals Man Utd at Old Trafford last weekend.

Soon after that, it was reported that Mahrez had decided to move away from City at the upcoming winter market. The likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were among the interested clubs to land Mahrez in January, reported French media outlet Santi Aouna of Footmercato.

Rubbishing his transfer rumors, Mahrez told City Xtra that the report concerning his future is "fake" and there is no chance of him leaving the club in the upcoming transfer window. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently.

In the 2021-22 campaign, Mahrez is leading Man City’s goals chart, having scored a tally of eight goals, three more than second-placed Phil Foden and four more than Gabriel Jesus.

Even though Mahrez has produced impressive performances, he has seen a limited game time and more often than not, his games have been restricted to cup competitions and substitute appearances.

Man City signed Mahrez from Leicester City in the summer of 2018 at $80 million, making the right-winer the most expensive African soccer player.

My ball: Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City clicked back into goalscoring form
My ball: Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City clicked back into goalscoring form POOL / Michael Regan

Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that Man City were eyeing FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. The Eithad side could ask Barcelona to include the Dutchman in the swap deal that would see Man City forward Raheem Sterling head to Camp Nou.

With seven wins, two draws and two losses, Manchester City are currently second in the 2021-22 Premier League table, three points behind leaders Chelsea.

While a two-week international break is currently underway, Guardiola's City will resume its Premier League campaign on Nov. 21 by hosting Everton.

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