Leicester City manager, Claudio Ranieri has urged 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez not to join Premier League rivals, Arsenal. Ranieri says that Mahrez risks warming the bench if he decides to go to Emirates.
Yesterday, media reports in France claimed that the Algerian winger had agreed to join Arsenal ahead of the new season. Mahrez played a crucial role in Leicester’s surprise title win and Ranieri is urging him to emulate teammate, Jamie Vardy who turned down Arsenal’s big money in June and signed a new four-year contract to remain a fox.
Mahrez scored a wonderful goal in yesterday’s friendly against Scottish champions, Celtic at Celtic Park and it delighted his coach. “Did you see how Riyad is happy? He played so well, worked so hard for the team, he scored a goal and he stays with us,” Ranieri said.
“It is important to keep him, he is one of our stars. “Other teams maybe have more stars and maybe e doesn’t play at the same level, because maybe he is on the bench, so it is much better he stays with me.”
But on if he is confident Mahrez would stay, Ranieri told SkySports: “I am always confident. Of course, we know that there are other teams that want to win the Premier league, our own is just to defend.”
Despite Ranieri’s confidence, Arsenal will submit their official bid of £41m in a matter of days and the signs are that the Algerian will leave the Foxes to join the north London club.
Checkpointcharley understands that Arsene Wenger met Mahrez’s agent after their 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Lens on Friday night.
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