ARSENE WENGER HAS quashed rumours linking Arsenal with a January move for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Cech has hinted at looking for a new club after falling behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and according to newspaper reports the Gunners are planning a £7 million bid. But when asked about a possible move by reporters on Friday, Wenger rejected the notion out of hand.
No (there is no deal). We have three keepers who have a battle. Ospina is now coming back, Szczesny is the No 1 and Martinez did well every time he played.”
Lukas Podolski is another who has gone public with unhappiness at a lack of sufficient playing time, with a January move also mooted for the Germany international.
Former club Koln have already ruled out bringing the striker back in January, as well as Schalke, and Wenger has admitted Arsenal are yet to receive any offers for the 29-year-old. “I have had no enquiries from anybody,” Wenger said. “He faces big competition. He has an outstanding attitude and he works very hard.”
The Arsenal boss did admit the club are looking at doing some business in the forthcoming transfer window but not much.
“January might be a month when we have nearly everybody back because Koscielny is back in the squad, Debuchy will be back I think in two weeks. We have gone through a period where we are very short but we discovered as well that players have learnt their job well in the centre-back position, like Monreal and he is doing very well now. In January we will of course try to get at least one body in.”
