Arsenal Defender Bacary Sagna Will Stay in the Premier League, Claims Inter President

Arsenal full back Bacary Sagna has decided to remain in the Premier League, according to Inter Milan president Erick Thohir.

Sagna is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gunners' hopes of tying him down to a new deal are growing increasingly unlikely following fruitless negotiations over the course of the season.

The France international remains an integral part of Arsene Wenger's first team but Inter are keen to bring him to Serie A having already given him the option of making the switch this summer.

However, it would appear Sagna has turned down the chance to join the club, with Thohir revealing the defender will stay in England.

The Inter president told reporters, "As for Sagna, he has decided to stay in the Premier League," Italian outlet Tutto Mercato report.

After another disappointing season where the club sit 31 points off league leaders Juventus, the Nerazzurri will embark on a major recruitment drive this summer having already sealed a deal to sign Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic at the end of his contract this summer.

The club have also been credited with keen interest in his teammate Patrice Evra. The Frenchman is also out of contract in just a few months with little indication of whether United will extend his deal, but Thohir has played down reports of Inter swooping for the France skipper, insisting there has been no contact from their side.

Thohir's comments present Arsenal fans with the worrying scenario of Sagna signing for a Premier League rival. Manchester City are no strangers to doing business with the club having signed Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri from them over the last five years, although this time the club would be free to hold negotiations with the player without having to consult the Gunners once his deal expires.

Liverpool have also been linked with a possible swoop for the 31-year-old, who joined the north London club from Auxerre in 2007.

Inter could revisit the Premier League in their quest tor rebuild their squad this summer. Thohir added that the club are interested in signing Chelsea's Fernando Torres and Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, in addition to possible Arsenal target Alvaro Morata, who has struggled to impose himself on the Real Madrid first team this season.