Arsenal have been handed a huge transfer blow in their pursuit of Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez after Leicester City boss Claude Puel insisted that he will not leave this month, according to a report on the Daily Star.
The Gunners are desperate to replace Alexis Sanchez, who looks increasingly likely to leave the London club within the next few days.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been keeping close eye on Mahrez since last summer and is keen to secure a deal for the 26-year-old, but Puel believes that Mahrez is happy at the Foxes.
He said:
It’s not a question in our mind. All the noise is just speculation.
I have confidence in Riyad. We spoke a lot with him, [about] different things, and often about football, because he likes football a lot. We can see he is enjoying his football and is happy with his team-mates and with us. It’s important for us to keep our best players.
Arsenal are at risk of losing their star players Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, whose contract also expires at the end of the season. Both players could be on their way to rivals Manchester United.
Mahrez has caught the eye of many clubs this season as he has managed to score seven goals in the Premier League, whilst also setting up seven in a brilliant combination with striker Jamie Vardy.
Arsenal face stiff competition from Liverpool, who are also keen to secure the services of Mahrez, but Leicester are trying to stand firm and keep Mahrez until at least the summer.
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