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Riyad Mahrez is ‘distracted’ by persistent transfer talk, says Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri

The winger has been heavily linked with a summer transfer away from the Premier League champions

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Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez in action against Paris St-Germain in the International Champions Cup last week. He has been linked with a move away from Leicester. Photo: AFP

Speculation about a possible transfer to Premier League rivals Arsenal has unsettled Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, manager Claudio Ranieri has said.

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The 25-year-old Algeria international, who signed from Ligue 2 side Le Havre in 2014, has become a hot property after scoring 17 league goals and winning the PFA Player of the Year during Leicester’s remarkable title-winning campaign.
Mahrez is a wanted man after his sparkling performances for Leicester last season. Photo: Reuters
Mahrez is a wanted man after his sparkling performances for Leicester last season. Photo: Reuters
Leicester have already had to fight off advances from Arsenal to keep striker Jamie Vardy, but lost midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea for a reported fee of £32 million pounds (HK$328.9 million).

“Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation,” Ranieri told British media.

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“But that is also an experience for my players. It is important that he understands that he should stay with us.

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