Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez has reportedly emerged as a leading summer transfer target for AC Milan.
The Algeria international has enjoyed his most prolific season in front of goal for the Premier League champions with a total of 23 goals and nine assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
However, Mahrez's contract at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire in the summer of 2023, and uncertainty surrounding the attacker's long-term future is naturally starting to creep in.
In order to avoid the prospect of losing the former Leicester City man for nothing next summer, Man City would allegedly be open to a sale ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Chelsea, Barcelona and Juventus have all been credited with an interest in Mahrez, and Man City would not be in a position to demand a hefty figure given his contract situation.
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The 31-year-old is not expected to be short of suitors either way, and according to Tuttosport - via Milan News - the Rossoneri are the latest team to show an interest in his services.
Stefano Pioli's side are on the verge of being taken over by Bahrain-based business Investcorp, and significant funds could be made available for new signings by the new owners.
The report adds that as much as €100m (£83.8m) could be made available for summer transfer business, and the signing of Mahrez would be viewed as a marquee arrival for the club.
Milan are already rumoured to have agreed a deal to sign Liverpool's Divock Origi, who will end his association with the Reds when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Lille centre-back Sven Botman is also regarded as a leading target for the Rossoneri, and the Dutchman recently announced his desire to leave Les Dogues this summer.
Should Milan's pursuit of Mahrez prove unsuccessful, the report adds that the new owners have a list of other attacking targets, namely Real Madrid's Marco Asensio.
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Like Mahrez, Asensio's contract at the Bernabeu also has less than 18 months left to run, and AC Milan have supposedly stolen a march on Arsenal in the race for the Spaniard's signature.
Nicolo Zaniolo and Domenico Berardi have also been mooted as potential targets for the Serie A leaders, who hold a two-point lead over Inter Milan with only three games left to play.
In spite of Mahrez's impressive statistics in the 2021-22 season - including 11 Premier League goals - the Algerian has only started 13 top-flight games for Pep Guardiola's side this term.
Mahrez has now racked up 62 goals and 46 assists in 185 games in sky blue since arriving from Leicester in 2018, and he was an unused substitute in Saturday's 4-0 thumping of Leeds United.
The former Le Havre youngster's trophy haul at the Etihad includes two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups - adding to his memorable 2015-16 top-flight crown with Leicester.
Ben Knapton
