Manchester City announce club-record deal for new forward

Manchester City have completed a club-record £60m deal for Leicester star Riyad Mahrez, the Premier League champions have announced.

Pep Guardiola’s side failed to prise Mahrez away at the end of the January transfer window but have finally got their man.

City identified Mahrez as a top transfer target after missing out on Alexis Sanchez to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Mahrez has been desperate to secure a high profile move away from Leicester in recent seasons and will now bolster Guardiola’s offensive options.

City broke their club transfer record to sign Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Club in a deal worth £57m and have one even further to land Mahrez.

“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola,” Mahrez told the club’s official website.

“Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it.

“I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management.”

The Algeria international completed his City medical on Tuesday and has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the champions.

Mahrez, who was named the PFA Player of the Year in 2016, rediscovered his best form for Leicester last season, playing a direct hand in 22 goals in 36 league games.