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Claude Puel says he has held talks with Riyad Mahrez and he has not said he wants to leave Leicester City.

The winger stated in the summer he wanted to move on to seek a new challenge in his career, but no club matched City’s valuation of the former PFA player of the year and Ballon d’Or nominee.

A £32million bid from Roma was rejected and speculation has continued that Mahrez will be targeted again during the January window, but Puel insists the 26-year-old is happy at City.

“I have said I want to keep all my best players in the squad,” Puel said. “Riyad is a valuable player to the team.

“When I discuss things with him he has shown a good attitude, he is enjoying his football. He is a happy player. This is a good thing.

“He likes to play with his team-mates. He has improved all his stats with assists and goals. It is all positive for him. I want to continue this work with all my best players, like Riyad.

“No (hasn’t said he wants to leave). He is happy with the squad. After that, it is speculation.

“For me, there is no problem. He is happy to play with his team-mates. He loves football.

“In the transfer window, people can make speculation about players and transfers, but I am not worried because I like the player.

“It is easy to speak with him and he likes the football and this is the most important thing.”

Puel admits the transfer window period can be difficult as players can become distracted by external speculation, but he is confident his players would not be affected.

“It is important to try to manage this period,” he said.

“It is a difficult period because some players can be distracted by the speculation.

“Different clubs or agents can call and speak and say something that it isn’t true.

“It is a difficult period to manage but I think we have a squad with experience and maturity and they are calm.

“We believe we can manage this period with a good feeling and, I hope, without a problem.”