Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 7y

Arsene Wenger denies Arsenal interest in Porto's Ricardo Pereira

LONDON -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied interest in Porto full-back Ricardo Pereira, and said that he's not planning any buys in the January transfer window.

Pereira has been linked with Arsenal as a possible replacement for backup right-back Mathieu Debuchy, who is expected to leave the club in January.

The Daily Star reported on Thursday that the Gunners were preparing a £20 million bid for the versatile Portuguese defender, who can play on either flank and has impressed during a loan spell at Nice this season.

But when asked at his news conference on Thursday whether Arsenal are interested in Pereira, Wenger said: "No, we are not."

The Frenchman also said the club have yet to receive any concrete offers for Debuchy or fellow right-back Carl Jenkinson, but remain open to offers.

"We'll see what happens," he said, before reiterating that he expects a quiet transfer window. "In our club, who is going out? Nobody at the moment. Who is coming in? Nobody."

However, Arsenal are close to signing 20-year-old left-back Cohen Bramall from seventh-tier club Hednesford, whom Wenger has likened to a young Ashley Cole.

"He's an exceptional physical talent," Wenger told BeIn Sports. "[But] I don't think he's ready, today, to play in the Premier League."

A club source told ESPN FC on Wednesday that the deal could be completed by the end of the week.

^ Back to Top ^