Arsenal are not willing to meet AC Milan’s €25m (£21m) asking price for midfielder Franck Kessie, according to reports in the Italian media.

The Ivorian international, who has also been linked with Wolves and West Ham, is believed to be on the Gunners’ radar, with manager Mikel Arteta looking to improve his options in the middle of the park.

The Spaniard did, however, deny any interest in Kessie on Wednesday so whether this latest report coming out of Italy is simply Milan trying to drum up interest in a player they want to sell, we shall have to wait and see.

The 23-year-old has been a first-team regular for the Rossoneri this season, having started 14 of the club’s 19 league games so far, but the Serie A side are said to be keen to free up funds for other January purchases.

Arsenal are not believed to have a large amount to spend themselves during the current transfer window and are currently trying to sign Layvin Kurzawa from Paris Saint-Germain for a nominal fee, with the left-back’s contract expiring in the summer.