Clement Grenier
Grenier says a bid has been rejected by Lyon.

Arsenal have had a bid for Lyon's Clement Grenier rejected by the Ligue 1 side, according to the French midfielder.

The 22 year old is still to decide over his future after backtracking over comments suggesting he had already made his mind up concerning his next move.

Arsene Wenger is a confirmed admirer of the French international having compared him to ex-Gunner Samir Nasri, and the Arsenal manager has firmed up his interest with the bid for Grenier, who confirms the offer has been rebuffed.

"I know Lyon have refused an offer from Arsenal," he told Le Parisien. "Of course it's flattering that clubs are interested in me.

"Today, I can't honestly give an answer [on my future], because my future is not decided," he added to RTL.

"I have a meeting very soon with the president, the coach and my representatives, to discuss a little bit of everything.

"But today I have problems talking about my future because nothing is decided. I prefer to wait to be 100 per cent sure about what is going to happen."

Wenger, who has already added young French forward Yaya Sanogo this summer, previously confirmed his admiration for the Lyon man who scored seven goals in all competitions last season.

"We are following him. His intelligence of play pleases me. He has interesting qualities. He reminds me of Nasri."

After qualifying for the Champions League for a record 16<sup>th consecutive season, Wenger is understood to be equipped with substantial funds to add to an Arsenal squad which is without a major trophy since 2005.

However, despite chief executive Ivan Gazidis confirming the club have the funds to spend big this summer, Wenger appears seemingly intent on staying loyal to the strategy of buying younger, less high profile players; a policy which has in recent years sparked criticism from Arsenal supporters amid the club's trophy drought.

Links with a move for Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain continue to persist but questions will continue to be asked over Wenger's ambitions in the window until a big money move in completed.