Arsene Wenger has denied that Arsenal are interested in signing Rick Karsdorp from Feyenoord. The 21-year-old was linked to the Gunners at the start of the month.
Speaking to Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport (quotes via Goal.com Netherlands) after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, Wenger said he was not looking for a defender in the January transfer window, although he does believe Karsdorp is a “good player.”:
‘No, we are currently not looking for a defender. So your information is not quite right. Do I know him? Yeah, he’s definitely a good player, but we are now focused on winning the next game.’
The Gunners currently have three first team right backs on the books. With Hector Bellerin the undisputed first choice at the Emirates, speculation has been rife over the futures of both Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson.
Debuchy’s time at Arsenal has been plagued by injuries and his latest hamstring injury, picked up against Bournemouth at the end of last month, will keep the Frenchman out to at least mid January.
It leaves Jenkinson as the backup to Bellerin for the time being, but once Debuchy is fit again, it is expected that one will leave the club either on loan or temporarily before the close of the transfer window.
