Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their reported pursuit of former Manchester United star Javier Hernandez.
The 27-year-old has caught Arsene Wenger's eye after netting a stunning 19 goals for Bayer Leverkusen during the opening half of the season.
However, Rudi Voller, Leverkusen's sporting director, insists the German club will not sell in January.
Voller said: “It’s easy to reject offers when you are in a position you don’t need to sell.
“We will keep all the players we want to help us achieve our goals.”
Wenger hopeful of making signing within 10 days
Arsene Wenger has revealed he is hopeful Arsenal will make a signing within the next 10 days.
The Gunners are expected to seal the signature of FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
“I don’t give much away [about transfers] because I don’t know [what’s going on]," Wenger said.
“I want to talk about them and hopefully we are capable of doing something in the next 10 days.
“It’s more about quality than quantity because our players will not stay out injured forever. Francis Coquelin is starting to run, Santi Cazorla will be back in mid-February, and Mikel Arteta is back now so, hopefully, if we can add one and, if needed, two maximum."
Wenger: My former teams lacked fight - this one doesn't
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have now answered the biggest question of all about their title-winning credentials.
Wenger insists he never tunes into football radio phone-ins - amusingly, he revealed recently he plays Bob Marley CDs in his car - but even he cannot avoid hearing the accusations made against his team.
No leaders. No spirit. They lack the mentality to be champions. That’s what the pundits regularly say.
But they delivered a victory against Newcastle on Saturday, in a game which was all about winning ugly and coming through a major test, to retain top spot.
In pictures - Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle:
The Gunners boss even admitted himself that some of his previous teams could play pretty football but lacked the ability to dig in and scrap.
Wenger said after the 1-0 victory: “It is another aspect of your team that is tested in a game like that.
"You fight, not to concede a goal, not panic and wait for your chance. We were more questioned on that aspect than the way we play football, so it is good sometimes to win like that."
Comparing the spirit of his current side to some of his former ones, the Frenchman added: "I think they are more experienced [now]. When we moved into the stadium here the average age was 23 or 24. On our day we could play everybody off the park but when you had to dig deep, come out with your knowledge and your experience, it was a bit more difficult — but these are different teams."
Giroud reacts to Shearer comments
Olivier Giroud has rubbished Alan Shearer’s claims to the contrary and insisted Arsenal's squad is strong enough to win the Premier League.
Match of the Day pundit Shearer reckons the Gunners need to add THREE players to win the title race they currently lead — a holding midfielder, a centre-half and a striker.
But striker Giroud said after helping Arsenal to Saturday's win over Newcastle: “Tell me where! Just tell me where! I will explain the opposite judgement.
“We have very good players as well on the bench, young players waiting to come in. They are very talented. I am not worried about it.
“Danny Welbeck will come back in a month and a half. Theo Walcott can play up front, Joel is Campbell doing well with his national team up front. If I am less good or get injured, we still have a solution.”