Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has insisted Riyad Mahrez has never indicated he wants to leave the Premier League champions for Arsenal, saying the Gunners have not tabled an official bid for the 25-year-old.
Mahrez has seen himself linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, much like his Leicester teammate Jamie Vardy was earlier in the summer, although Ranieri revealed just two days ago that last season’s PFA Player of the Year doesn’t have a release clause in his contract with the Foxes and will not be sold by the club.
The Italian coach, who led Leicester to a remarkable Premier League title win last term, has once again reiterated Leicester are not interested in parting ways with Mahrez, and revealed Arsenal haven’t enquired about the midfielder either.
“Never has Riyad come to me and said ‘coach, I want to go’ because I’ll kill him before he tells me this,” Ranieri joked as he made a strangling gesture.
“It’s not a problem. When there is all this attention around your name it’s because you are doing well.
“The speculation is normal, he is a big player and he needs to feel there are other teams and managers who want him.”
He added: “I don’t know, who is interested? Tell me if there is one. Arsenal? No.
“Riyad will stay with us.”
COMMENTS