Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal: 'No price' is big enough to convince Claudio Ranieri to sell Algerian hotshot

Gunners linked with a swoop for Leicester's in-form wing man

(Getty)

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri continues to insist he will not sell Riyad Mahrez, the Premier League's man-of-the-moment, as the transfer window hurtles towards its deadline on Tuesday evening.

The Algerian international, who former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson signed for just £400,000 in January 2014, has scored four goals in the opening month of the season to propel Leicester up to third in the Premier League.

His hot streak of form has alerted a number of clubs to his talents and, despite signing a new four-year deal before the start of the new campaign, the Daily Star suggested Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is among the suitors.

But Ranieri, speaking in midweek, told any rivals considering making a bid for the 24-year-old they would be wasting their time.

"We don't sell him so there is no price," he said. "We won't sell him so it's much better if they [other clubs] don't ask. I look at Riyad when we don't have the ball, I'm trying to help him become the complete player, that is my job.

"I want to improve him in the offensive line. He is improving every day, it's important for him because he can get better. He's young and only 24."

Mahrez was substituted at half-time during the 1-1 draw away with Bournemouth on Saturday. Jamie Vardy's late penalty earned the visitors a point to preserve their unbeaten start.

Callum Wilson, who scored a hat-trick against West Ham last week, opened the scoring with an overhead kick before Vardy's late rescue act.

"In the second half we showed good spirit and character," Ranieri said. "In the end I am very pleased with the draw and I am sure we deserved it."