Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has admitted Premier League rivals Arsenal made a bid to sign him last summer but the Foxes turned down their approach.
The Foxes, 17.00 to finish in the top four, stormed to the Premier League title last season at the expense of Tottenham, much to the shock of world football.
Their success attracted several bidders for their best players, with holding midfielder N’Golo Kante eventually leaving the club for rivals Chelsea in a big-money move.
The likes of Wes Morgan, Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy, Danny Drinkwater and Mahrez were all linked with moves away but the Foxes managed to tempt them all to stay put.
Vardy decided to reject Arsenal’s approach following Euro 2016 before signing a new contract and Mahrez has now confirmed Arsene Wenger wanted him at the Emirates.
The Algeria international insists he refused to force through a move out of respect for manager Claudio Ranieri but he has yet to deliver on the pitch this season.
Last year’s PFA Player of the Year has scored just once in the Premier League and he admits he must prove himself after staying at the King Power Stadium.
“There was contact with Arsenal,” Mahrez told Canal Football Club. “But Leicester wanted to keep me and I was pretty expensive.
“I did not want to create a conflict when the offer came in. Personally, I think it is a good thing I stayed put. “It’s now up to me to prove myself again.”
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