Wenger denies Rooney link

international has had a transfer request rejected by the Red Devils, but his future at Old Trafford remains unclear. Having lost Robin van Persie to United, it would be somewhat ironic if Arsenal then went and bought Rooney.

It would also be a major turn-up for the books, considering Rooney’s wince-inducing wages, the mega fee his transfer would entail, and Arsenal’s own tight-fisted transfer history. And so it comes as no surprise that Wenger has poured cold water on reports of his interest in Wazza.

“I don’t know if Man United will sell Rooney, and that is the best sign to show you that we have not made any approach for him,” Wenger told reporters yesterday.

“The first thing is to phone Manchester United, which we did not do.”
More to type however, Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal for Auxerre’s French youth international striker, Yaya Sanogo.

“It is in the advanced stages but it is not done,” Wenger said of a deal for the talented, yet widely unheard of 20-year-old.

“I’m very confident. He is a young, promising striker who is a big talent.”

The highly-rated striker, 20, has scored nine goals in just 11 league appearances for the Ligue 2 outfit. He current deal expires this summer and reports in France have claimed that he has shunned offers from a host of clubs in his homeland by agreeing a four-year deal with the Gunners.

Arsenal are also planning to raise their wage bill significantly this summer as they look to land players such as Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic and Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.

Wenger has a £70million summer budget if they qualify for the Champions League so funding the transfer fee would not be a problem. Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker says that he is an ‘integral part of the team’ and that he will remain at the club next season.

The Germany international has endured plenty of criticism since arriving from Werder Bremen in August 2011, with some suggestions he would be sold in the summer.

However, the 6ft 6in defender now feels very much a key man for the Gunners.

“I do not think they want to get rid of me after this season here,” Mertesacker said in an interview with German media website www.Sport1.de.

“I have become an integral part of the team and have really earned respect here.

“Sometimes you have to be self-confident enough and just let the press write what they want, but it is always getting quieter in this regard, and that is a good sign.”

Arsenal travel to Newcastle tomorrow knowing that a win would secure them a Champions League place and Mertesacker says it is a tough place to play, adding: “We must really put a shift in against Newcastle and really give everything again in our last game. “It was a long, gruelling season, but we will do everything possible to win there.”

And Tottenham are confident Gareth Bale will commit his future to the club next month — by signing a stunning new deal that will pay him £170 000-a-week. — Mailonline-The Mirror.