Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri has said he's not interested in selling star midfielder Danny Drinkwater to Manchester United despite speculation surrounding the Englishman's future growing.

The 26-year-old was an integral part of the Foxes title-winning side last season making 35 league appearances, and also chipped in with seven assists.

After losing key midfielder N'Golo Kante to Chelsea over the summer break, the Italian is reluctant to see Drinkwater head back to the club he spent four seasons with between 2008-2012.

"It's speculation. I'm surprised, because it's usually a month before the window opens that this sort of speculation starts," Ranieri said.

"But now, is good. When big teams want our players, it is good for us. One year ago, no-one was asking about our players. Now there are big, big teams asking.

"Now they must be proud, but continue in this way. He [Drinkwater] has signed a new contract, he doesn't have a [release] clause.

"If he wants to go to Man U, OK, but we want to keep him."