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Wenger: No move for Draxler

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he does not expect to make a major signing in this transfer window, after seemingly ruling out a move for Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler.

Wenger has been persistently linked with a move for Draxler in recent weeks, with a deal reported to be close in the first two weeks of this transfer window.

However, Wenger was firm in his conviction that Draxler, 20, will not be joining Arsenal this month, offering a firm "no" when questioned.

"It looks very unlikely," was Wenger's response when asked whether he would sign a player in this transfer window. "We are at the 23rd of January today and we are not close to doing anything.

"I feel a bit guilty going to a press conference during the transfer window and having no one to announce, but I don't want to lie.

"We have [Alex Oxlade] Chamberlain back, [Nicklas] Bendtner back, [Mikel] Arteta and [Aaron] Ramsey back next week. We have the needed squad. Overall, we have a very strong squad. If something exceptional turns up, we will do it.

"Having said that, not everyone will strengthen in this window. They will buy, but by buying, it does not mean that they will strengthen."

Wenger went on to confirm that he will not consider a loan deal for centre-back Thomas Vermaelen in this transfer window, after he was linked with a move to West Ham.

"I am ready to extend his contract," he said of Vermaelen, whose current deal expires at the end of this season and who looks set to leave Arsenal having lost his place in the starting line-up.

"We want Thomas Vermaelen to be happy and have the number of games a player of his class deserves. I have huge respect for his quality and his attitude.

"We will speak about that. At the moment, we are all on board to achieve something that is respectable and at the end of the season, I can sit down with Thomas and decide what he wants to do."

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