Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama has denied telling The Sun newspaper that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to sign him this summer.
Wanyama, 23, has played a starring role alongside Morgan Schneiderlin in the Southampton midfield this season as Ronald Koeman's side have defied preseason expectations to challenge for a place in Europe.
The Kenya international had been linked with a move to the Gunners in the past, with sources telling ESPN FC that Arsenal tried to sign him in the final hours of the summer transfer window last season, but instead moved to St Mary's when he left Celtic in 2013 for £12 million.
On Thursday, The Sun reported that Wanyama "revealed to SunSport" his knowledge of interest from the Arsenal boss.
"Wenger has been talking about me, and he has let it be known he would like to sign me this summer," the report quoted him as saying. "Arsenal are a great club and I'd love to play Champions League football as I loved being on that stage with Celtic.
"But we've had a fantastic season at Saints and I want to stay focused on helping the club qualify for Europe. Then we'll see where I end up in the summer."
However, later that day Wanyama said via his official Twitter account that the report was untrue.
I have to make it clear that I have not said what as been brought up today am professional and will never say that.
- Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) April 23, 2015
To cut the story short have never spoken to Wenger
- Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) April 23, 2015
Southampton, currently seventh in the Premier League, face a battle to hold on to stars such as captain Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne this summer, with sources telling ESPN FC that the club expect the pair to move on.
Saints saw Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert leave last year after finishing eighth under Pochettino.