Arsenal transfers: Arsene Wenger ‘likes’ David Villa but doubts move

Arsene Wenger has moved to cool speculation linking Arsenal with a move for David Villa, despite admitting that he is a keen admirer of the Barcelona forward.

The Gunners were heavily linked with a swoop for the Spain international during the January transfer window and were reported to have had a bid rejected for the 31-year-old.

But Wenger, who has made no secret of his admiration for the striker, has hinted that the Gunners are unlikely to bid for the forward in the summer.

“I am not on the case of signing him [Villa],” Wenger told a news conference.

“I like the player, but we have some more immediate targets that are more important to us, like beating Blackburn on Saturday.”

Villa, who has scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for Barcelona this season, was released from hospital on Friday after being re-admitted on Thursday because of kidney stones.