Mahrez speculation ‘not real’

confident about him. Champions have a lot of rumours and speculation about them, and you have to be focused on your job.

“The speculation is not real. If he wants to sign a new contract it is OK with me. It is important he stays with us.

“Riyad wants to stay, because he wants to continue with us to keep having the experience. Everything else is just speculation.” Vardy, right, who also preferred to stay with Leicester rather than move to Arsenal, joined the Foxes squad on Thursday in LA after an extended break following Euro 2016 and wrist surgery. However, he will not play in today’s game against Paris SaintGermain and is likely to miss Wednesday’s International Champions Cup clash with Barcelona in Stockholm too.

Ranieri said: “For him it is important to put in some good training sessions. It is important he can work well and be fit before maybe the Community Shield or the beginning of the season.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to add an attacking player to his ranks before the new season and Mahrez is a major target.

A source close to the Algerian said the Gunners are not the only club interested but the player himself is tempted by the prospect of Champions League football at Leicester. “It is natural for there to be rumours. He was voted the English league’s best player last season. But nothing has been done yet,” said the source. “It is not so straightforward to see him leaving Leicester, especially with Champions League fixtures in prospect.

“Other big English clubs are on his trail. Discussions are in progress but there is no agreement and there’s no hurry.”