Claudio Ranieri insists there have been no approaches for Riyad Mahrez and expects the Leicester winger to remain with the Premier League champions.
The 25-year-old Algeria international was voted the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year after playing a major role in the Foxes’ memorable title-winning campaign.
He has since been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal, but contrary to reports in France, Sky sources understand the Gunners have not made a £30m for him. naijabet.com
Jamie Vardy turned down the chance to join Arsenal earlier in the summer,signing a new four-year deal at the King Power Stadium, and Ranieri insists Mahrez, like the England forward, is also keen to stay at the club.
“Could I know who is interested in Mahrez? No [approaches]. Riyad stays with us,” the Leicester manager said.
“I say ‘keep going, we have to improve, also you have to improve your experience by playing in the Champions League, it is totally different, European football is different from the Premier League and it is important to be focused on the new job’.
“Yes [convinced Mahrez wants to stay] but sometimes the manager says one thing and then does another thing.”
Ranieri has been busy in the transfer market this summer, notably bringing in defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy as a replacement for N’Golo Kante and forward Ahmed Musa for a club-record fee of £16m.
When asked if he would be making any more signings, Ranieri added: “No at the moment I am very happy with this squad and until August 31 the market is open if something happens, why not? But at the moment it is closed.”
