Premier League: Manchester City sign Riyad Mahrez

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has finally left the club after intense transfer speculation over the past couple of years, he joins Premier League champions Manchester City on a five-year contract. The Citizens paid 60 million pounds to Leicester for the 27-year-old Algerian winger. Manchester City had tried to sign Mahrez during the January transfer window but the deal fell through due to Leicester's valuation of the player, which was 95 million pounds at that time. Mahrez is the first player that Manchester City have signed after having won their first Premier League title under manager Pep Guardiola. "Watching them from afar has been a pleasure," said Mahrez, who seems to be a keen admirer of City's playing style. "Pep Guardiola is committed to playing attacking football, and City's performances last season were outstanding. I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep's management." Mahrez was a key player during Leicester's title-winning campaign in the 2015-2016 season, he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and was immediately linked with transfers to the biggest clubs in England and beyond. He scored 48 goals in 179 appearances for the Foxes. "His moments of magic will live long in the memory as the club and its fans continue to build a long-term legacy for the success delivered by the teams to which Riyad so memorably contributed," a Leicester statement read. The Foxes have made a huge profit on Mahrez as they signed him from Le Havre in 2014 for just £400,000. Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space. Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting players. We're sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad." Manchester City are 4/7 at Bet365 to win the Premier League title again next season.