Football
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Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez staying at Bayer Leverkusen - Rudi Voller

Bayer Leverkusen have ruled out selling Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez this month amid reported interest from Arsenal. 

Mexico international Hernandez, 27, became the first major Bundesliga signing from the Premier League in years when he joined Leverkusen from Manchester United during the summer transfer period.

He has gone on to become a leading star for Bayer, hitting 19 goals in 22 games in all competitions and was named the Bundesliga's player of the month for both November and December. 

His form has led to reports of interest from Arsenal, but Leverkusen sporting executive Rudi Voller has told Sky that the club's key players will all remain at the BayArena.

Asked about the Arsenal speculation on Sunday, Voller said: "There are always rumours with our players. That's just normal in this phase. We will definitely keep the players we need."

Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer has also been linked with a move to Napoli, but Voller added: "It's easy to fend off interest when you don't need to sell, and we are in a comfortable situation where we don't have to do it.

"We will definitely keep those players we want to keep in order to achieve our goals."

As well as making a positive impact on the pitch, Hernandez has had a major impact on the club's international profile, particularly in North America. 

Ahead of the start of the second half of the Bundesliga later this month, Leverkusen have travelled to the United States, where they will take part in the Florida Cup, but Voller said the additional interest generated by Henandez is no more than "a pleasant side effect."

"We shouldn't overvalue it," Voller said. "We are a football club, and success on the pitch is more important. He holds great value to us through his style of play and his goals. That's why we signed him."

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