Riyad Mahrez could miss the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season

Riyad Mahrez could miss the start of the 2016/17 season due to the Rio Olympics.

Sky Sports News HQ has been told that Leicester's Algerian ace Mahrez, Everton's Argentinian defender Ramiro Funes Mori, Arsenal's Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi and his compatriot Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho are all being targeted by their countries.

The Olympic football tournament kicks off in Rio de Janeiro on August 4, nine days before the Premier League season, and players could miss two weeks of games, should their country reach the gold or bronze medal matches.

Olympic rules could also lead to Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Man City's Sergio Aguero being called up.

The 16 countries competing in the Olympics will select a squad of players born after January 1, 1993, plus three senior players, who are also eligible for selection.

Leicester star Mahrez could play for Algeria at the Olympics

Clubs do not have to release players for the tournament because it falls outside of the FIFA calendar, but many players will be keen to represent their country.

With Euro 2016 and Copa America 2016 also taking place in the off-season, some players could be facing an extremely busy summer.

Below is a country-by-country guide to players in England who could be selected, along with what Sky Sports News HQ has been told by their countries:

ALGERIA

Over-23 player: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

They say: The Algerian FA has told Sky Sports News HQ that it is extremely keen to name Mahrez as a senior player. It plans to hold talks with the player and Leicester next week.

DENMARK

Denmark could call on the experience of Christian Eriksen

Under-23 players: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Lasse Vigen Christensen (Fulham), Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich)

Over-23 players: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Anders Lindegaard (WBA), Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic), Jores Okore (Aston Villa), Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Lasse Vibe (Brentford)

They say: The Danish FA, U21 coach and European clubs are in talks about who will be available. The Danish FA will not be drawn on speculation that it's keen to call up Schmeichel and Eriksen.

Denmark could have the biggest impact on English football with nine players up for consideration.

NIGERIA

Nigeria hope to select Arsenal's Alex Iwobi

Under-23 players: Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal)

Over-23 players: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Watford), Efe Ambrose (Celtic)

They say: The Nigerian FA has told us it hopes to select Iwobi and Iheanacho. It is in discussions with the clubs and hopes to have a list of players it can select from in a fortnight. Ighalo and national team captain Obi Mikel are also under consideration.

GERMANY

Arsenal's Serge Gnabry could represent Germany

Under-23 players: Emre Can (Liverpool), Serge Gnabry (Arsenal)

Over-23 players: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United)

They say: Sky Sports News HQ has been told Can, although an under-23 player, won't be selected for the Olympics as he will be selected for the Euros earlier in the summer. The DfB wants to select players from outside the Bundesliga 1 to avoid disrupting its season.

Germany will not pick players in Champions League or Europa League squads, either. Gnabry is the only Premier League player under serious consideration.

ARGENTINA

Ramiro Funes Mori is understood to be wanted by Argentina

Under-23 players: Tiago Casasola (Roma)

Over-23 players: Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).

They say: Argentina head coach Tata Martino has confirmed Ramiro Funes Mori is under consideration for the Olympic team, with Everton manager Roberto Martinez admitting he wants "clarity" on the issue. Argentina could use the tournament to look at players on the fringes of the senior squad, so the likes of Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta could miss out.

BRAZIL

Chelsea midfielder Willian may be selected by hosts Brazil

Under-23 players: Andreas Pereira (Manchester United)

Over-23 players: Willian (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Fernandinho (Manchester City)

They say: The Brazilian FA expects Barcelona to release Neymar for the tournament, even if it means he won't play at this summer's Copa America in June. Neymar will be the star of the competition as the hosts look to win their first ever Olympic gold. There has been no confirmation of who the other two senior players will be, with Willian and Coutinho linked in the Brazilian press.

OTHER COUNTRIES

SOUTH AFRICA

Over-23 players: Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth)

SOUTH KOREA

Over-23 players: Lee Chung-Yong (Crystal Palace)

PORTUGAL

Southampton captain Jose Fonte is an over-23 option for Portugal

Under-23 players: Lucas Joao (Sheffield Wednesday)

Over-23 players: Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Fernando (Manchester City)

SWEDEN

Over-23 players: Martin Olsson (Norwich), Marcus Olsson (Derby), Ola Toivonen (Sunderland), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Swansea), Seb Larsson (Sunderland)

Martin Olsson, of Norwich, could be called up by Sweden

COLOMBIA

Over-23 players: David Ospina (Arsenal), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa)