Leicester warn Arsenal off Mahrez move

Leicester City have informed Arsenal that Riyad Mahrez is not for sale at any price this summer, according to reports.

The Guardian is reporting that the Premier League champions have warned Arsenal against making a move for their PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

Reports in the French media this week have suggested that Arsenal have made an offer in excess of €40 million for the talented Algerian winger, and that the player is desperate to join Arsene Wenger’s side.

But the Foxes, having already lost N’Golo Kanté to Chelsea this summer, are refusing to part ways with another one of their star players, ahead of their title defence and first ever Champions League campaign this season.

Arsenal have already attempted to raid Leicester once this summer, have offered £20 million for Football Writers’ Player of the Year Jamie Vardy. The Gunners’ offer triggered Vardy’s contractual release clause, meaning that Leicester were powerless to prevent Arsenal negotiating with the striker.

However, after some deliberation, Vardy elected to remain at the King Power Stadium, rejected Arsenal’s advances.

And it now appears that Wenger has turned his attention to Mahrez, as he looks to boost his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Leicester signed Mahrez from French second division side Le Havre 18 months ago for just £400,000. The Algerian international struggled to break into the team under former manager Nigel Pearson. But when Claudio Ranieri took over last summer, Mahrez established himself as a key player for the Foxes, and his goals and assists were a major factor in the club’s unlikely title triumph.