Riyad Mahrez has told Leicester he won’t leave in the current transfer window, according to the Guardian.
The Algerian is the subject of interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, but the Foxes are desperate for him to stay for their first ever Premier League title defence.
His agents have now spoken to members of the Leicester board and have accepted that a move isn’t going to happen before January at the earliest.
Mahrez recently turned down a new improved deal of £80,000 a week.
Leicester are worried that should he leave, they would have very little time to bring in a replacement.
All that leaves them still negotiating a new contract with the player, though it’s likely that it will allow him to leave if future offers are made.
The playmaker was named PFA Player of the Year earlier this year for his role in Leicester’s unlikely title win, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists.
If his pre-season form is anything to go by, it’s vital he stays so that Claudio Ranieri’s side have any chance of repeating their exploits of last season.
While virtually no-one expects them to retain the title, if they keep most of their squad intact – bar N’Golo Kante who’s already joined Chelsea – they could surprise us all again with another impressive campaign.
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