Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was obviously asked about a variety of transfer speculation in his pre Crystal Palace press conference.
With Alexis Sanchez dealt with elsewhere, Wenger was also tasked for comments on a number of other players, both reportedly incoming and some speculated for a departure.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media, Wenger said of reports linking us to Malcom.
‘No, I don`t think we are close to doing that. I don`t think so, no.’
With heavy speculation about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
‘I have nothing to add to that. These kind of things, it`s better when it`s secret and when you don`t come out on it, and when you announce it when it`s over the line. Apart from the deal we just spoke about, Alexis and Mkhitaryan could happen, yes, but nothing else is close.’
Pressed on whether he felt the players character would fit in at the club, his answer received criticism from Borussia Dortmund.
‘Yes, because character can be a very positive note and it can be a very negative note. I believe overall you look at the achievements of a player during his career and usually, when a career has been very positive, the character has been used in a positive way.’
Late on Thursday evening some tabloids were suggesting we had agreed a three and a halfyear deal with the player.
With links to West Brom’s Jonny Evans, Wenger confirmed that he had ‘nothing to add’ to those stories at the minute, but he did say Mesut Ozil would be at the club come February.
With Jack Wilshere’s future up in the air, he said of that situation.
‘We know what we want. We want him to stay, we want him to extend his contract. He wants to stay. After that, we have to find a satisfying financial agreement with Jack that is good for him. That`s what we`re trying to do.’
With Theo Walcott heading to Everton this week, Wenger also had praise for him, hinting once again that he didn’t want him to depart.
‘Personally I`m very attached to Theo, because he`s a person who is intelligent, has complete integrity, total commitment and focus on his job. I remember he arrived here at the age of 16 and went to the World Cup straight away. Of course when you look back, he`s scored important goals in big games. We speak about cup finals or Champions League games, or the local derbies, where he put in outstanding performances against Tottenham. I just regret what happened but he didn`t play enough recently. I wish him well and thank him for everything he has done for us. He will always be welcome here.’
