Arsenal Transfer News: Riyad Mahrez Reacts to Gunners, Manchester United Rumours

Arsenal and Manchester United's hunt to sign Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez this January is as good as over after the winger stated his desire to remain at King Power Stadium until the end of the season.

The Algeria international spoke to French radio station RMC this week and said he wishes to repay the club that showed faith in him during a low point of his career (h/t Daily Mail's Simon Jones):

"

I was at Le Havre, I had six months left but nobody came to get me. Leicester tried very hard to get me. I could feel that they wanted me. I took the decision without knowing the culture or the area. It was a risk. When you come from far away and you end up in the Premier League it makes you happy. I am happy that I signed for Leicester.

"

It's heartening to hear a player so adamant to remain in his smaller setting despite the interest of Europe's powerhouses, even if Leicester are currently on track to claim the Premier League title.

The Foxes will be hard-pressed to hang onto their talisman if they do indeed maintain form to make a sustained bid for the crown. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has even likened Mahrez to four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, per Squawka:

Leicester's success this season has of course been built on more than just the meteoric rise of Mahrez and fellow scoring hero Jamie Vardy, but the attacking pair have been highlighted as the club's poster boys this term.

Responding to speculation that Europe's big guns will come searching for his duo's signatures in the new year, Claudio Ranieri was quoted by BBC Sport warding teams off his stars: "No-one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January. They don't have the money and they don't have a price."

Jon Super/Associated Press

Both Arsenal and Manchester United are desperate to add inspiration to their attacks this winter. The Gunners have struggled to cope with a list of injuries, while the Red Devils defence has provided the backbone to their season so far.

Had the Premier League giants recruited Mahrez themselves, they could have saved themselves a substantial amount. Breathe Sport illustrated the duo's value to Leicester considering a mere £1.4 million was spent on their purchases:

"

Mahrez & Vardy after 4 months of the Premier League season: 26 goals 10 assists They cost Leicester £1.4m... pic.twitter.com/wgusduHejZ

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) December 15, 2015"

Signed for a paltry £400,000 from French minnows Le Havre in 2014, Mahrez undoubtedly stands out as the greater bargain of the two, leaving his mark on some of England's biggest clubs this campaign.

The 24-year-old bagged his 11th goal of the league campaign in Monday's 2-1 win over Chelsea. Using Squawka statistics, Bleacher Report UK detailed his man-of-the-match display against the reigning Premier League champions:

Leicester are under pressure to ensure Mahrez isn't tempted by a move this January, so it's just as well the playmaker seems just as eager to see their fairytale start to the 2015-16 campaign through to its end.

It's important to note Mahrez's insistence on mentioning "the end of this season" as a target, meaning Arsenal and United may yet hold out hope of reviving their race to sign the wide man next summer.