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Ranieri continues to deny Mahrez sale: 'He is one of our stars'

Reuters

Pointing to the latest game-breaking performance from Riyad Mahrez on Saturday, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insisted the reigning PFA Player of the Year is happy to remain with the Premier League champion.

Mahrez struck a beautiful curling effort against Celtic in the first of Leicester's friendlies in the International Champions Cup - a goal reminiscent of the ones he scored against Tottenham and Chelsea last season.

Related - Watch: Mahrez shows genius with beautiful goal at Celtic

With a smile on his face, Mahrez looked to be free of the burdens of speculation. A Eurosport report earlier in the day concluded that the 25-year-old had agreed to a move to Arsenal in a deal worth around £42 million.

Mahrez's agent denied those claims, according to the Guardian's Ed Aarons, and Ranieri continued to mount his own defence following the exhibition match.

"Did you see Riyad, how he is happy? He played well and worked so hard (for) the team and scored a good goal. Then he stays with us. Of course," the Italian told reporters, including the Leicester Mercury's Rob Tanner. "For us it is very important because he is one of our stars. He is our fantasy. We can work hard but with him something changes.

"With another team there are many more stars and maybe he doesn't play at the same level. Maybe he goes on the bench. It is much better he stays here with me and another year is important for him."

Mahrez currently has three more years remaining on his contract with the Foxes. They have reportedly offered the player a new deal with wages around £80,000 a week, but Mahrez has apparently rejected those terms.

Ranieri has held firm in recent weeks that the club isn't considering a sale, insisting Mahrez has no intention of departing the King Power Stadium.

The Algeria international scored 17 goals and produced another 11 assists last season as he pushed Leicester to a maiden top-flight title.

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