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LONDON. — Riyad Mahrez is set to stick with English soccer champions Leicester and turn his back on a £40 million move to one of Europe’s big guns. Barcelona, Paris St-Germain and Arsenal have all been watching the new prince of the English Premier League. The Algerian star has just been crowned PFA Player of the Year after guiding Leicester to the league title.But after lifting the trophy on Saturday following a 3-1 win against Everton, the 25-year-old confirmed he is staying put for now. Asked if he could categorically say he would stay next season, he said: “Yeah, yeah. I am very happy and very proud to have this trophy. Some things are just amazing.”

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has tried to appease fans’ fears that their star player could be a summer departure by saying he was 99 percent certain they will hang on to Mahrez.

Vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha also said he was confident the club could get a package together to keep Mahrez happy. — Sky Sports-Metro.