Leicester City manager Claude Puel insists there was nothing untoward about Riyad Mahrez’s attendance at Arsenal’s EFL Cup tie with Chelsea on Wednesday… because the Algerian was doubling up as a scout.
Mahrez submitted a transfer request at the end of last season and was targeted by Chelsea having been the subject of consistent speculation linking him with Arsenal, though while they admire the playmaker the Gunners have never made a bid.
Speculation that Mahrez could be departing Leicester was inevitably heightened when he was pictured leaving the Emirates Stadium after the Gunners 2-1 win over Leicester City in the second leg of their semi-final tie.
However Puel said there is a more innocent explanation for Mahrez and Leicester team-mate Islam Slimani’s presence.
“I asked Riyad to watch the game to make the report. They were scouts,” he told a press conference ahead of the Foxes FA Cup fourth round tie at Peterborough.
“There is nothing to say about Riyad, or Slim or any other player. At this date, no moves on the squad, but we will see until the end of the month.
“At the end of January I will be happy. Finished about this question.”
Leicester rejected a £32m bid from Roma for Mahrez in August and Puel expects him to still be at the club when the window closes at the end of the month.
