Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation linking the Gunners with a move for Southampton star Victor Wanyama in the January transfer window.
Rumours circulated on Friday that the Frenchman may be monitoring the Saints midfielder with a view to making an offer next month, as he continues to deal with injury problems.
However, speaking to the press ahead of his side’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, Wenger insisted that while he may look to strengthen his squad in the next transfer window, he isn’t set to make an offer to Ronald Koeman for Wanyama.
“I rate the player but we are not on the case,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports. “We will be out there and see what we can do. But at the moment we have the whole of December to go and we are in a good position in the Premier League.”
The Gunners sit just two points behind league leaders Leicester City ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, while they will be buoyed by their triumph in the Champions League in midweek as their 3-0 win over Olympiakos sealed their spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
As a result, Wenger was naturally in good spirits on Friday as he hopes his side can build some momentum heading into the Christmas schedule. Meanwhile, the veteran tactician comes up against one of his former players this weekend, with Remi Garde hoping to cause an upset at Villa Park.