Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel has poured cold water on speculation that fullback Layvin Kurzawa is poised to sign for Arsenal.

There had been reports in France that the 27-year-old had agreed personal terms with the Gunners, but speaking about the defender yesterday, Tuchel said he was an essential first-team player:

“We need Layvin. I have not spoken with him about a departure, nor anybody else. We have Juan [Bernat] starting on the left and Layvin behind him. Layvin has played well recently, trained well and it is up to him to show what he can do. If he is healthy, he will play against Lorient, he is an important player in this position.”

Kurzawa’s contract at PSG expires in the summer so he is allowed to talk to other clubs about moving at the end of the season, and the player is under no obligation to tell Tuchel or PSG about his current plans.

However, it does appear unlikely that the France international will arrive at the Emirates this month. They had been speculation that Arsenal could snap up the fullback on a cut-price deal during the January transfer window but Tuchel appears reluctant to let him leave.

Kurzawa has only made 14 appearances this season but he did play the full 90 minutes in PSG’s last match against Monaco on Wednesday and as, Tuchel states, he will almost certainly feature against Lorient this evening.