Manchester City are looking to extend Riyad Mahrez’s contract after his finest season at the club to date.
Sportsmail understands the Premier League champions are opening talks with the 31-year-old, who has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal.
Mahrez finished the campaign as City’s top scorer in all competitions with 24 goals – his best return since a £60million switch from Leicester City.
Initial discussions have been positive and there is an expectation that Mahrez will commit his future.
Pep Guardiola is in the process of refreshing the squad’s forward line this summer but the Algeria international is remaining at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Gabriel Jesus is set to be announced Arsenal’s new £45m signing, while Chelsea are in negotiations to land Raheem Sterling.
Both of those players have contracts with City expiring next year and Mahrez is the third high-profile forward to be approaching the end of his deal.
But City are working towards extending the winger’s stay beyond 2023, which would take him past five years at the club.
Guardiola will have six forwards – including new signings Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez – to choose from next term if they do not replace Sterling should he depart for Stamford Bridge.
Academy product Cole Palmer will act as Mahrez’s understudy on the right, with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish usually deployed on the opposite flank.