Arsene Wenger denies Joey Barton interest

Arsene Wenger has insisted that Joey Barton's claims that he nearly signed for Arsenal this summer are false.

Barton said that he had "a couple of conversations" with Arsenal ahead of his eventual move to Queens Park Rangers from Newcastle.

"I didn't try to sign him. I don't know why he says that," Wenger said.

"Certainly it's not linked to him directly, as I've never spoken to him directly.

"The agents always call you up and offer you players. What they report back to their players afterwards is something I don't master."

Barton was involved in a bust-up with Arsenal's Gervinho this summer while still at Newcastle.