Wenger wants Reyes to stay

Arsene Wenger today insisted that Real Madrid can "forget" about trying to sign Jose Reyes.

The 21-year-old striker, who joined from Seville 16 months ago, has been linked with a move back to Spain but Wenger said: "I am not aware of Real Madrid getting in touch about Jose. And I want to keep him here. In my heart of hearts, I think he will be here next season. My determination to keep Jose here is great.

"I have said many times that I do not buy a player of his age to sell him one year later. If Real Madrid wanted to buy him, they could have bought him a year ago. They can forget it."

Reyes's form has improved in recent weeks and Wenger believes he will overcome his problems of homesickness and adjust to the Premiership in the way that Thierry Henry and Robert Pires did.

The Arsenal manager, whose side face Liverpool on Sunday, added: "It takes you two years to feel completely at home. Jose is improving as a player and he is getting better and better with every game. It would be a shame if he went now and it would be the wrong decision. I think he will stay."

Wenger is also hopeful that Brazilian Edu, who failed to agree a new contract in January and is expected to leave when he becomes a free agent in June, could also stay.

"I am not resigned to the fact that he will leave," said Wenger. "It is probably 80 per cent that he will go, but I have not given up."