Arsenal transfers: Wenger rules out swoop for Chelsea’s Lampard

Arsene Wenger has ruled out an Arsenal swoop for Frank Lampard despite the ongoing uncertainty over the midfielder’s future at Chelsea.

Arsenal emerged as one of the 34-year-old’s touted possible future destinations following reports claiming that the Blues are not willing to offer the England international a new deal.

Lampard, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, has also been linked with a move to China and the Major League Soccer, and Wenger moved to quash reports suggesting he could seal a surprise move across London.

Wenger said: “No [we won’t try to sign Lampard]. We have a young midfield. [Aaron] Ramsey did not start against Swansea.

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did not start the game, when time goes on he will become a central midfielder as well.

“We have what we need in the middle of the park.”

Wenger’s Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Blues have added Newcastle striker Demba Ba to their ranks since the sides last met at Emirates Stadium back in September.

And the Gunners boss needs no reminding of the threat posed by the Senegalese forward ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

“Demba Ba scored 13 goals before he went to Chelsea, so you are not surprised he scores goal, he can score goals everywhere,” said Wenger.

“At Chelsea he has even more chances, so you would think he would be more prolific. He is a similar type physically to [Olivier] Giroud, that is why we had that problem for us [of not going for him], but he is a very efficient centre forward.

“I like him personally but we had Giroud who is 25 and has just came to us. We wanted to give Giroud a chance.”