Arsenal says Barcelona won't discuss deal for Villa

David Villa has garnered a lot of interest from Arsenal this month.

London, Jan 30 (IANS/EFE) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Tuesday that FC Barcelona has rejected the Gunners’ overture for an accord that would send forward David Villa to London.

“Barca do not want to sell David Villa. They’ve made that very clear,” Wenger told reporters here ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match Wednesday against Liverpool.

The Frenchman indicated Arsenal is not in the market for anyone else.

“What’s important is to buy players who can strengthen the squad. Otherwise, you do nothing. We have enough numbers, quality strikers,” he said.

Wenger likewise excluded signing David Beckham, the former England international who has been working out at the Gunners’ north London facility.

“He called me,” the manager said of Beckham. “It’s purely for fitness, there’s no speculation about him signing.”

Arsenal has suffered this season from the absence of Robin van Persie, the 2011-12 Premier League top scorer, who left London for Manchester United, now leading the league.

The Gunners are currently in sixth place.