Riyad Mahrez has offered a revealing account of how Pep Guardiola personally convinced him to join Manchester City, describing a direct and decisive approach that left little room for hesitation.
The Algerian winger recalled a pivotal moment during his time at Leicester City, when City faced the Foxes. After the match, Guardiola made his intentions unmistakably clear. “He came up to me after the game and said, ‘I’d really like to have you with me. You’re an incredible player and you could do everything in my team,’” Mahrez revealed. The message was simple, personal, and effective.
Mahrez responded just as directly. “I told him, ‘Bring me here,’” he said, highlighting the immediate connection between player and manager. According to Mahrez, Guardiola’s persistence stood out, as the City boss continued to reinforce his desire to bring him to the Etihad. “He came over and said, ‘You’re coming. I want you. I’d really like to sign you.’”
That determination soon translated into action. Manchester City pushed through a £60 million deal to secure his signature, underlining how highly he was valued. For Mahrez, there was no second-guessing once interest became concrete. “From the moment they wanted me, it was the only club I wanted to go to,” he admitted.
The move would go on to mark one of the defining chapters of Mahrez’s career, as he became a key figure under Guardiola, contributing to a period of sustained domestic dominance and further establishing himself among the Premier League’s elite wingers.
