Ranieri urges Mahrez to stay focused on Leicester City's success amid transfer rumours

Manager Claudio Ranieri has once again called on Riyad Mahrez to stay focused on Leicester City as the talented playmaker's name continues to get bandied about in transfer rumours.

The Algerian international's breakout season has seen his name pop up in various rumours connecting him with a big-money move away from King Power Stadium.

The added attention has already seen Ranieri address the possibility of Mahrez leaving the club after the season. However, the Italian now appears willing to let the 25-year-old depart, but warns that he must continue to focus on Leicester City football and continue to perform at a high level in order to keep Europe's big clubs interested in a summer move.

Ranieri outlined his stance on a possible transfer request when he met with the media ahead of Leicester's match against Norwich City: “If I am Riyad I say: 'There are a lot of teams who want me. OK, I have to show more if I want to go there. I have to show my best, because if I should do my best, maybe they want to buy me.'"

Ranieri added: "We want to keep all our players. We believe in them. But if a player comes to me and says: 'Boss, I want to go there because it's my ambition to go there', I'll say: 'Go and enjoy and have good luck.' Because I want only players who are happy to stay here, because sooner or later we grow up a lot - of course not like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but Leicester will be a very good team."

Mahrez's value since arriving in England has exceeded the meager €450,000 price tag Leicester paid Le Havre after banging in 14 goals and providing 10 assists.