Riyad Mahrez 'not bothered' by transfer speculation amid Arsenal interest in Leicester City's PFA Player of the Year

Riyad Mahrez is 'not bothered' by speculation linking him with a big money move to Arsenal, according to Leicester team-mate Demarai Gray. 

Reports in France over the weekend suggested the Gunners had made a bid of £41.8m for the winger, but agent Kamel Bengougam, who watched Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Lens, insisted no deal was in place for his client.

Despite talk of a big money move away from the Premier League champions, Gray has insisted the winger is concentrating on the Foxes' pre-season preparations as they bid to defend their title.

Arsenal are interested in signing highly-rated winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City this summer 

Arsenal are interested in signing highly-rated winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City this summer 

The Algeria international scored in the Foxes' International Champions Cup win over Celtic on Saturday 

The Algeria international scored in the Foxes' International Champions Cup win over Celtic on Saturday 

'There is a lot of speculation around him but he doesn't seem to be bothered by any of that, does he?' Gray told the Evening Standard.


'He works hard and he's a Leicester player. We'll just do what he does, train and focus on games.'

Mahrez scored as Leicester drew 1-1 at Celtic on Saturday, before winning 6-5 on penalties, with manager Claudio Ranieri again insisting he will be staying with the club. 

'Maybe tomorrow (in the newspapers) he'll be worth £100million - it's good, keep going,' laughed the Italian.

Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award as he helped Leicester City to an unlikely Premier League title

Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award as he helped Leicester City to an unlikely Premier League title

Mahrez's agent, Kamel Bengougam, has insisted no deal is done to take his client to Arsenal

Mahrez's agent, Kamel Bengougam, has insisted no deal is done to take his client to Arsenal

Demarai Gray, battling with Celtic's Saidy Janko, believes Riyad Mahrez 'isn't bothered' by speculation

Demarai Gray, battling with Celtic's Saidy Janko, believes Riyad Mahrez 'isn't bothered' by speculation

'I understand speculation, but that's all it is.

'Did you see how happy Riyad looked? He played well, he worked so hard for the team, he scored a goal. He stays with us. Of course.

'For us it's very, very important to keep him because he is one of our stars. He is our fantasy – we can work hard but with him games change.'

Next up for Leicester is an International Champions Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Los Angeles on July 30.