Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denies Monaco link after speculation former club wanted him

Frenchman denied links at his press conference

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger has moved to deny speculation linking him with a return to former club Monaco.

The Arsenal manager made his name in charge of Monaco between 1987 and 1994, winning the title in his first season in charge.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Wenger met with Monaco officials when the travelled to London for the Emirates Cup in August and the Ligue 1 club were preparing to tempt Wenger with a tax-free £10m-per-year offer before he signed his three-year, £24m contract extension with the Gunners in May.

Speaking at his press-conference on Thursday morning, Wenger was quick to dismiss any link.

"Before you ask, the story about Monaco is completely untrue, so you don't need to ask me the question," he said.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev had said: "For Monaco he is part of our history, part of our heritage.

"He is doing an amazing job. I don't know if one day he will want to come back, but we keep a very good relationship. Last time we exchanged was during the Emirates Cup. He keeps a strong affection for Monaco.

"Our ambition is to be one of the clubs that plays regularly in the Champions League."