Arsene Wenger
Wenger's Brazilian target wants to stay in Roma Reuters

Brazilian midfielder Hernanes has said he will not leave Italian club Lazio this summer, despite being linked to a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool. The 26 year old midfielder, quoted in a report by Goal.com, has also been linked to big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Gunners were reportedly leading the race for the Brazilian, who has three years left on his contractwith Lazio, according to the Daily Mail.

"I don't have any plans to move. I have also heard those rumours but there is no truth in what is being said. I am leaving for Brazil for 15 days and then I will return to Rome to begin pre-season training with Lazio," Hernanes told Corriere dello Sport, according to an ESPN report.

"I have to thank the Lazio supporters, they've always supported me. You're the best," said the 2008 Brazilian Footballer of the Year, according to Goal.com. Hernanes transferred to Lazio from Sao Paulo in 2010 and has been a key player for the Italian club since then, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances in the Serie A this season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Johan Djourou said he was considering a move out of the Emirates this summer following his dissatisfaction with constantly being benched by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, according to a Mirror report.

The 25 year old Swiss central defender, who has fallen down the pecking order to the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker, appeared in only 29 league games this season as compared to 37 league appearances in the 2010/2011 campaign. Moreover, the Ivorian-born defender has been used as a right back, which is not his preferred position.

"My situation at Arsenal is not easy. I've never played so little, and especially not in my own position. If an interesting offer comes, I'll look at it carefully," The Metro quoted Djourou as saying.

Also, another concern for Djourou, who been at Arsenal since 2002, is that Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has told him to get more first-team football if he wants to play for the national side.

"For Djourou, the question arises of a transfer. If he wants to be selected, he must have some game time in the club. This is not the case at Arsenal," said Hitzfeld, according to the Metro.