Arsenal Transfer News: Striker's Future Still Undecided

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has claimed that he has yet to enter into talks with Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner about a permanent move to the north eastern club, as the summer transfer window edges closer.

Bendtner has scored seven times for the Black Cats this season since he sealed a loan move from the Gunners last summer, and he has made his intentions to leave north London very clear from the outset.

But after suffering from controversy off the pitch this season, O'Neill insists a deal is far from done for the star to remain at the Stadium of Light.

"I've not thought about his future at all," O'Neill told Sky Sports. "I've not mentioned it to him, there's no point in putting pressure on anyone at the moment.

"He's played very well and may think that with that type of performance he's still capable of breaking into Arsenal's squad."

Arsenal have long appeared to be hoping to offload Bendtner in the hopes of saving on wages. The hitman had insisted on a number of occasions that he was unhappy with his limited game time at the club, and Wenger had sought to either send him out permanently or on loan last summer.

With that in mind, Arsenal have also been strongly touted as having done a deal with Cologne striker Lukas Podolski, meaning that game time for Bendtner would be even more limited if he had to return to the Emirates.

While Arsenal currently have the likes of Gervinho, Park Chu Young and Marouane Chamakh backing up on-fire striker Robin van Persie, Park has been given limited opportunities, while Gervinho is still adjusting to the English game.

And Chamakh has admitted a few times that if he continues to see limited game time he would consider other offers, leaving van Persie's support up front looking a lot thinner than initially thought.

Thierry Henry's loan spell at the club in January and February showed that there is room alongside the skipper for a striker to have an impact on Arsenal's results, but Bendnter looks unlikely at the moment to be that person.