Porto Star Danilo Cools Arsenal Link

Arsenal's hope of signing Danilo has suffered a blow after the defender admitted that he is happy at FC Porto.

The Brazilian right-back was linked with a move to the Emirates as a replacement for Bacary Sagna, according to Sky Sports. The French international's contract runs down on 30 June and he had expressed his desire to leave his current employers in the summer transfer window.

Arsene Wenger is in the market looking to strengthen his right-back position and was keen on signing Danilo. However, the 22-year-old has put the recent speculations linking him with a move away from the Portuguese outfit to bed.

"I'll say what is usually said, I am contracted until 2016," Danilo told ESPN Brazil.

"I am playing at Porto and have been playing well, which makes you get linked with top clubs, but there is a big difference between that and an offer that Porto accepts. I am happy at the moment and I am prepared to return to Porto.

"If something good for everyone comes along, we'll sit down, but for now, it is just speculation," the Porto star said.

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Per Mertasacker believes Germany has a huge pressure to win this year's World Cup. Joachim Low's side are one of the strong favourites of the tournament in Brazil and are looking to win it for the first time in 24 years.

"We are really looking forward to the tournament; we have been consistent with second and third places over the last few tournaments. The expectation is huge because if you always get second or third place, you want to get to the top," Mertesacker told Arsenal's official website.

"On paper we have an outstanding squad and nearly every position has two players so that is big competition. The rivalry between the players will be high and tough, so maybe that gets us to the next level to achieve something.

"We have to raise the team spirit as well, as that can always make a big difference when you know each other well and trust each other. We can create team spirit but it takes some time," the German defender added.