Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has been highly linked with a summer move to Arsenal and Foxes manager believes that the constant transfer speculation is distracting the Algerian winger.
The Italian manager believes that the ongoing Mahrez transfer saga is posing a problem for the talented winger to stay focused ahead of the upcoming season.
Riyad Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year as he played a pivotal role in Leicester City’s Prmier League Triumph with 17 goals and 11 assists to his name.
Arsenal has been highly linked with a £37million move for the Leicester playmaker Mahrez and sources confirm that Wenger is fond of the Algerian’s technical abilities in the midfield.
On the Contrary, Leicester City are desperate to hold on to their star after losing ace midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea this summer.
Ranieri has revealed that he is confident that Mahrez will reject Arsenal’s offer and stick to the club but Wenger’s presence at Leicester City’s recent International Champions Cup loss against Paris Saint-Germain may point towards a possible summer move.
‘Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation,’ Ranieri said in a press conference.
‘But that is also an experience for my players. ‘It is important that he understands that he should stay with us.
‘He has to improve his fitness and play for the team as well last season,’ Ranieri concluded.
Mahrez’s contract at Leicester City expires in June 2019. The Foxes were able to convince Jamie Vardy to snub a move to Arsenal and the club hopes that they can work the same magic on Mahrez.