Mahrez stays at Leicester after signing four-year deal

London: Riyad Mahrez has agreed a new pounds 100,000-a-week (Dh482,992) contract in a huge boost for Premier League champions Leicester City. Mahrez, the PFA Player of the Year, has finally ended the uncertainty over his future after signing a new four-year deal following extensive talks with chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha..Srivaddhanaprabha had warned any interested clubs that Mahrez and West Bromwich Albion target Jeffrey Schlupp would not be leaving before the transfer window closes. And Mahrez has now committed his future to Claudio Ranieri’s team, with Leicester reluctant to dismantle their squad further after the pounds 32million sale of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea. It is also understood that Ghana international Schlupp will be offered fresh terms after at least two bids from Albion were rejected. Mahrez had admitted only “two or three clubs” could persuade him to leave the King Power Stadium, but Leicester were always relaxed over the speculation regarding their prized asset. Srivaddhanaprabha had taken the unexpected move of using his Instagram account to post a picture of Mahrez and Schlupp with the words “Both not for sale”. A statement on the club’s website yesterday read: “Leicester City Football Club is delighted to announce that Riyad Mahrez has signed a new contract, committing his future to the Foxes until June, 2020.” Mahrez’s new deal does not contain a release clause and any offers would have to be well over pounds 50million, with Leicester using the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City as a benchmark in their valuation. Schlupp also seems certain to stay, despite offers of pounds 9million and pounds 12million from West Brom. Leicester will face Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday with captain Wes Morgan demanding a reaction after the defeat against Hull City. Arsenal beat Leicester in both league games last season and Leicester are keen to make a statement after their opening day defeat in East Yorkshire. Morgan said: “We need to put things right early, look forward to the next game and get a result there. We’re at our home ground and we want to put on a good display. “Most importantly, we want to go back to winning ways and do what we do best, which is go out there, give 100 per cent and pick up some wins.”