Barcelona have pulled out of the race for wantaway Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez.

The Sunday Mirror says have no interest in Mahrez and will not rival the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea for his signature.

The Leicester City winger this week turned down a new contract offer from the Premier League champions and is understood to be seeking a move away from the Foxes.

Leicester have the leverage of three years remaining on Mahrez's £35,000 per week contract but are likely to let the PFA Player of the Year leave for £35million - despite their keenness to keep their title-winning squad together.

Sources at the Spanish champions have revealed that Algeria winger Mahrez was never high on their wanted list and any contact between the club and Mahrez's representatives were not instigated by them.