Mahrez distracted by Arsenal rumours, says Ranieri

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Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri claims that reports linking Riyad Mahrez with a transfer to Arsenal are having a negative impact on last season's player of the year.

Coming off a season in which he scored 17 goals and won the PFA Player of the Year award with the Premier League champions, Mahrez struggled to make an impact during Leicester's pre-season loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, with Ranieri confessing that rumours have affected him mentally.

"Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation," Ranieri told reporters after Leicester's 4-0 defeat. "But that is also an experience for my players.

"It is important that he understands that he should stay with us. He has to improve his fitness and play for the team as well as last season."

Earlier this summer, Arsenal attempted to lure Jamie Vardy to the Emirates Stadium until the English forward opted to sign a new contract and remain with the Foxes.

Related - Vardy: It was easy rejecting Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was in attendance during Leicester's loss, was unwilling to divulge whether he was pursuing the Algerian international, and explained he was simply scouting ahead of the Premier League season.

"We watch all the players. We play them in the second game of the championship so of course it is a good opportunity for us tonight to see them," Wenger said to beIN SPORTS, courtesy of Sky Sports.

"I cannot give you a yes or a no (on Mahrez interest) because we do not publicise our transfer interest. The best way to make things happen is to keep it as secret as possible."

Arsenal and Leicester will face off during the second week of Premier League action on Aug. 20.