The Arsenal manager tried to dance around admitting he is keen to sign the Liverpool and England star, who has reportedly told his Anfield bosses he wants out.
But pressed to either confirm or deny reports, the Frenchman said: “I don’t like to lie.”
He added: “I do not bid for anybody at the moment. In the summer we will bid for people yes, but at the moment we are not in transfer mode at all.”
But Wenger also admitted Brendan Rodgers’ team could snub a Gunners’ bid again, just like they did a year ago when they rejected a cheeky offer of £40m plus £1.
“They have the right to decide what they want,” said Wenger. “But you need agreement of the player as well.”
Wenger also laughed off claims from Jose Mourinho on Monday that Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at West Brom was down to other clubs like Arsenal allowing them to win the title so easily.
“I don’t listen to what people say,” added Wenger. When he was asked if that applied to Mourinho, he said: “Exactly.”
The north Londoners face Sunderland at home on Wednesday night, with a win confirmed third place.
He said he understood why Black Cats’ boss Dick Advocaat, 67, was going to leave the club even if he keeps them up, having been brought in on a rescue mission in March.
“Normally you want to continue but you have to respect his desire,” said Wenger. “He has given a lot and been in this job a long, long time.”
