LEICESTER may have spent more than £25million so far this summer but it is one of their buys during their Championship stay who has caught the eye.

Riyad Mahrez was a virtual unknown in England when he was spotted by Foxes head of recruitment Steve Walsh two years ago.

The Algeria international was at the time tormenting Ligue 2 defences for Le Havre and City snapped up the winger for a bargain £400,000 in January last year.

Although Mahrez netted on his fourth appearance for his new club, in a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest, his reputation as a goal-getter was still some way off.

Mahrez managed just four goals in 2014-15 for the King Power side following their promotion to the Premier League but this season has been somewhat different.

The 24-year-old followed up an opening-day brace against Sunderland with further efforts against West Ham and Tottenham, playing no small part in Leicester’s lofty position in the embryonic table.

With a ferociously attacking attitude, Mahrez has fostered a reputation for direct running and unpredictability which top-flight defenders have so far found difficult to cope with.

The French-born flier may have his faults – City fans may point to a lack of end product at times – but as he has clearly demonstrated, he can turn a game.

Mahrez penned a new four-year contract in August and such has been his impact this term that boss Claudio Ranieri this week issued a hands-off warning to potential suitors, insisting that no amount of money would convince the club to part with their man of the moment.

“We won’t sell him so there is no price,” Ranieri told Sky Sports, ahead of Leicester’s trip to Cherries tomorrow (3pm).

“We won’t sell him so it’s much better if they (other clubs) don’t ask. I look at Riyad when we don’t have the ball, I’m trying to help him become the complete player.

“I want to improve him in the offensive line and he is improving every day.

“Mahrez is important because, at the moment, he is in great condition. Everything he does is very good for the team – good passes, good shots and good ideas.

“He is also improving in a defensive way. I am an Italian manager and I want to see how he defends too. Slowly, he is getting better and at the end he will be a complete player.”

Notable signings made by City this summer include Gokhan Inler, an impressive £5m recruit from Napoli, and N’Golo Kante and Yohan Benalouane, who cost £5.6m apiece from Caen and Atalanta. Meanwhile, striker Shinji Okazaki joined from Mainz for around £7m.