July 20, (THEWILL) – Manchester City are actively considering potential replacements for departing star Riyad Mahrez, and among the candidates is Olympique Lyonnais’ rising talent, Bradley Barcola.
The Citizens have reluctantly accepted a £30m offer for Mahrez from Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, with the player set to finalise the move soon. With the potential departure of Bernardo Silva as well, City aim to bolster their midfield options, and Barcola has caught their attention after impressive performances for Lyon. Although only 20 years old, Barcola’s skill and potential have impressed City’s scouts.
However, the Etihad club is not the only one interested, as Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig have also inquired about the Barcola’s availability. The French Under-21 international made his senior debut for Lyon in January 2023 and quickly established himself as a key player for the club. He drew attention to his abilities with five goals and eight assists in 25 Ligue 1 appearances. Manchester City’s scouts have been thoroughly impressed with the youngster despite his limited experience at the top level. PSG and RB Leipzig have also expressed interest in the 20-year-old forward, with PSG already engaging in talks with his representative.
Yet, Barcola himself made his desire to stay at OL for at least another season known. This will afford him the chance to continue his progress and receive the manager’s confidence. Lyon manager Laurent Blanc has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that both Barcola and his teammate Rayan Cherki should remain at the club for another year before making any moves to big clubs.
THEWILL recalls that Cherki has also been linked with interest from Chelsea. While the interest in Barcola is growing, his focus remains on solidifying his place at Lyon and continuing his development in the current transfer window. However, City will press harder if they run out of options elsewhere.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
