Arsenal deny Amoruso interest

Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso has been told to forget a move to Arsenal, by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

The Italian claims that the FA Cup winners have joined Blackburn Rovers in a battle for his signature.

But the Frenchman has denied that he is interested in signing a defender just now, especially not the former Ibrox captain.

“Amoruso is a good player no doubt about that,” Wenger told the Scottish Mail. “But we are not in the market for a defender at the minute.

“Philippe Mexes of Auxerre and France is an interesting player who we are keeping tabs on but his situation is still complicated.

“Amoruso, good player though he is, is not a target.

“It is simply not accurate to say there has been direct contact between Arsenal and Amoruso.”

Meanwhile, Brazilian target Mario Jardel has given a major snub to Rangers by claiming they are not big enough for him.

Just hours after Alex McLeish landed Nuno Capucho from FC Porto, the Sporting Lisbon frontman insisted he will not be next.

“I simply do not want to go to Rangers,” said Jardel. “I will not be going to Scotland as my thoughts are about going to Brazil.

“I want to play for big clubs. I’m a big player in the team and I have been top scorer in Europe several times.

“I also want to get back into the Brazilian national team.”