Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Update on Riyad Mahrez and Jeremy Mathieu Rumours

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has joked he would "throttle" Riyad Mahrez should the Arsenal transfer target ask to leave the club, according to James Nursey of the Daily Mirror.

The Gunners have reportedly stepped up their chase for the Algeria international, with Mahrez said to be willing to push through a move to the Emirates Stadium, per French paper L'Equipe (via beIN Sports' Matt Spiro).

But there has been no confirmation from inside the club that the PFA Player of the Year wants to depart the Premier League champions in favour of the north London side. On the contrary, Ranieri insists Mahrez will remain at the King Power Stadium, stating no official offers have been made for his star attacker:

"Riyad will stay with us," the Italian said, per Nursey.

"Never has he come and said: 'Coach, I want to go'. If he said that, I would throttle him!

"He is in good condition, maybe we must pass the ball a little more to him. He is a winger and, if nobody passes the ball to the wingers, I can’t pass the ball from the bench."

Sky Sports News HQ provided footage of Ranieri answering questions regarding Mahrez's future:

L'Equipe reported Arsenal had offered an initial €41 million (£35.3 million) for the winger (h/t Get French Football News):

The former Le Havre man netted 17 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 league appearances for the Foxes during the 2015-16 campaign, per WhoScored.com.

It was his on-field relationship with England's Jamie Vardy that was the catalyst for such productivity last term, with the duo's goal total combining to earn over 60 of Leicester's 81 league points, per Dave Fraser of the Sun.

OptaJoe highlighted Mahrez's importance to the champions last term:

Another key role in their shock domestic success was played by anchorman N'Golo Kante. The France international has since moved onto pastures new with Chelsea, after their £30 million offer activated his release clause earlier this summer.

However, according to Nursey, Ranieri has stated there is no such clause in Mahrez's deal with the club.

Goal's Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley hinted that weekly wages could play a role in any prospective move:

The 25-year-old winger—and his manager—will have been buoyed by Vardy's decision to remain at the east Midlands club this summer after the former Fleetwood Town striker rejected the opportunity to move to Arsenal himself.

Per Nick Lustig of Sky Sports, Vardy insisted it was "easy" to turn down last year's runners-up to stay with the champions.

Elsewhere, the Gunners are desperate to enhance their options in defence before the season starts, having inquired about the availability of Barcelona centre-back Jeremy Mathieu, per SFR Sport (via Tom Olver of Metro).

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has sent his scouts to scour Europe in search of reinforcements following injury setbacks to towering centre-half Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.

The north Londoners brought in the 20-year-old Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers in the summer, but his status on arrival was as a long-term prospect. However, injuries to first-choice defenders means he may have to be drafted into the first team sooner than expected.

Per Soccerway, Mathieu, 32, has made 49 Liga appearances for the Blaugrana since his switch from Valencia in 2014. The Frenchman often appears awkward in possession but provides consistency in his performances when asked to step in for Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano. 

After losing Marc Bartra to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, the Catalan giants spent more than £21 million on Olympique Lyonnais defender Samuel Umtiti, meaning Barca may be open to allowing their veteran defender to join the Premier League side.