Vardy and Mahrez rule out Leicester exits in January

Mark Holmes
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy: Won't leave Leicester City in January

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy: Won't leave Leicester City in January

Claudio Ranieri has been assured by Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that neither of them are interested in a move away from Leicester City this month.

Vardy and Mahrez have played key roles for high-flying Leicester this season and have both been linked with big-money moves away from the club during the January transfer window.

However, Ranieri insists neither player is looking to leave the King Power Stadium any time soon.

The Italian was quoted by several national newspapers as saying: “Nobody goes from Leicester.

“They have said they want to stay and fight until the end and build with me and the chairman and our fans a big Leicester.

“We are a solid team and we want to continue together with everybody.”

Ranieri also preferred to leave talk about possible contract extensions for the pair – who between them have scored 28 goals in the Premier League this season – to one side.

England striker Vardy’s current deal lasts until the summer of 2018 while Algeria winger Mahrez is under contract until 2019.

Ranieri added: “They are concentrating, they must be very professional. It is not important now the contract.

“They have their agents but it is another thing to play. For this reason they pay their agents to think about the contract.

“If they think about too many other things and not the real job, they will not continue to improve.”