Arsene Wenger: Arsenal are not signing Mario Balotelli from AC Milan

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has moved to distance himself from reports suggesting that that the club are looking to sign AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

It is well known that Milan are looking to move Balotelli on after a disappointing first full season with the club and with just Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo as his striking options it had been reported that Wenger was looking at bringing the former Manchester City striker back to the Premier League.

Wenger was speaking as a pundit on beIn Sport’s World Cup show when he was asked by former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit whether he was going to be signing Balotelli and the Frenchman’s answer was emphatic.

“No. No, that’s pure invention,” he replied.

“We cannot believe absolutely everything that is on internet or is in newspapers.

“Sometimes it’s created by agents or by press who needs news. But in that case, it’s not true.”

The 23-year-old Balotelli was substituted at half time during Italy’s 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, a match that was surrounded in controversy after Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez appeared to bite Italy defender Georgio Chiellini.

During the show Wenger also confirmed that Arsenal had sold Carlos Vela’s buy back clause to Real Sociedad, heightening speculation that Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell might be utilised by the club upon his return from a loan spell with Olympiacos.

Mario Balotelli scored 14 league goals last season for Milan, making him their top scorer.