Over the weekend, multiple reports broke claiming that Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez had chosen to join Arsenal this summer.
Eurosport France reported that negotiations between Arsenal and Leicester were at an advanced stage and that the Algerian had already communicated his desire to join up with Arsene Wenger’s side.
However, speaking last week, Claudio Ranieri stated that the club’s summer business was finished and that the PFA Player of the Year had decided to stay.
“It is over, the market is closed here. Mahrez wants to stay,” Ranieri said.
Despite Ranieri’s insistence, reports of the midfielder departing the club persisted and, with suggestions that he will leave now stronger than ever, the Italian manager was today forced to respond to the speculation.
Ranieri on reports linking Mahrez with Arsenal: "You write, write, write. He stays with us. Did you see him? He is happy." #LCFC
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) July 23, 2016
Whether Ranieri is actually certain of Mahrez’s state of mind or whether he is trying to play poker in the transfer market remains to be seen.
However, after the Leicester City winger scored a trademark stunner in a preseason friendly against Celtic yesterday, one can be sure that Arsenal will be more eager than ever to poach the Algerian.
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