adminlast term.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admitted on Thursday that Ba would be sold if he did not remove the reported £7m release clause in his contract.
“I like Demba Ba, yes,” said Wenger. “If you ask me ‘do we sign Demba Ba?’ I say no.”
The Frenchman added: “I don’t think (this) is the right place to speak about that, because he plays against us (today).
“I wouldn’t like to put Newcastle or us or him in an uncomfortable position.”
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who have been linked with the Senegal striker who joined Newcastle on a three-year deal from West Ham in June 2011.
Meanwhile, Wenger also says he still has not ruled out re-signing French striker Thierry Henry for a third time on a short-term loan deal.
The Frenchman, who scored twice in seven appearances last season while on loan from the New York Red Bulls, has been training with the club since the end of the MLS season.
But Wenger remains hopeful about keeping Theo Walcott, whose contract expires next summer and who is yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been quoted £16million for Barcelona striker David Villa.
Sportsmail revealed manager Arsene Wenger’s interest in the 31-year-old on Saturday.
And Gunners officials have been told it will take 20 million euros to land Spain’s record goalscorer.
Arsene Wenger would prefer a short-term loan for the former Valencia star, who is also a target for Chelsea, but is willing to offer a permanent move if the price is right.
However, the fee quoted by Barca is likely to be deemed too much by Arsenal because of Villa’s age.
Despite the fact he is a peripheral figure for Barcelona, the Spanish giants are not desperate to sell Villa next month.
They are more open to off-loading him in the summer, by which time Wenger is likely to have alternative targets.
Arsenal may face a fight for the striker, however, with Chelsea also believed to be in for Villa.
Chelsea’s Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu would be delighted if his fellow Spaniard did make the switch to Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t know that Villa’s situation is, but if a great player like him comes, the record goalscorer with the national team, he would be welcomed and we would be happy,” said Romeu, quoted as telling Spanish radio show Esports Cope.
But Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta hopes Villa stays put, telling reporters : “I don’ know if there’s a chance (he could leave), I don’t think so, although for me personally I wouldn’t like it if he did, because Villa is a vital player.”
Wenger has, meanwhile, revealed that long-term injury concern Abou Diaby is close to a return to action and will begin training next week.
The French midfielder started the season in rampant fashion, earning praise for his dominating performances as Arsenal went unbeaten in their first five games.
Brazilian left back Andre Santos is also set to return to training next week.
Indeed, Arsenal’s first loss of the season came at home to Chelsea when Diaby had to limp off with an injury after just 17 minutes.
Before his injury Arsenal had recorded three clean sheets in their first three games, including an impressive 2-0 victory at Anfield where Diaby was awarded man-of-the-match. Diaby’s dominating play was a feature in the away win against Montpellier in the Champions League and in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad.
However Diaby’s fitness has always been a concern with the midfielder blighted by injuries throughout his career. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter