Arsene Wenger denies €40m Arsenal bid for Paulo Dybala

Arsene Wenger has categorically denied suggestions Arsenal have lodged a bid for Palermo forward Paulo Dybala and insists the club are not interested in signing the Argentine forward.

Arsenal were named as one of two clubs to have lodged an official bid for the 21-year-old by Palermo's outspoken president Maurizio Zamparini on Tuesday, 31 March. But the Gunners boss has strongly refuted those claims, insisting the €40m-rated forward is not part of the club's transfer plans.

"Ask him [Zamparini] to show you the offer," Wenger told reporters on 2 April. "[We are] not at all [interested]."

Away from transfer news, Arsenal could have both Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere back fit for the 4 April Premier League showdown with Liverpool.

Welbeck could be back in contention for the Gunners after suffering an injury scare while on international duty. The 24-year-old was substituted during England's win over Lithuania on 27 March with a knee problem.

But boss Arsene Wenger remains hopeful the former Manchester United forward will have a chance of featuring against Brendan Rodgers' side. Wenger said Welbeck is still suffering with a "slight knee injury" but has a "small chance" of featuring.

Arsenal were handed another injury boost for the end of season run in this week when Mathieu Debuchy, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere all featured in a behind closed-doors friendly win over Brentford at London Colney on 31 March.

The trio, who have been long-term injury absentees this year, all made significant progress in edging their way back into contention, but Wenger is unlikely to call upon them for his starting XI for the visit of Liverpool to the Emirates.

It would appear Wilshere has the best chance of featuring in some capacity however. On the England midfielder, the Frenchman said: "I don't know whether he will be involved yet."

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also returned to training after suffering a hamstring injury in the FA Cup victory over Manchester United in March. Saturday's game comes too early for the England international, however.