Arsenal will not be able to pursue Barcelona star David Villa in January, with club president Sandro Rosel insisting that the striker will be needed until the end of the season at least.

Reports that Arsene Wenger is considering an approach for Villa continue to mount, with the Gunners looking to boost their firepower and push themselves into the top four.

But Barcelona president Sandro Rosell claims that the Spain international won't be making a move to another club before the summer at least, despite receiving limited game time for the Catalan giants.

"I completely rule out the transfer of Villa during the winter market," he told radio station RAC1. "He is ours and we need him, there is a lot of the season left."

The Guardian claims that Arsenal are set to look elsewhere as they search for a replacement for Morouane Chamakh, who has made the move to West Ham on a six-month loan deal, and Gervinho, who will travel to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast this month.

David Villa
David Villa will not leave Barcelona in January, the club claims.

Adrian Lopez and Lucas Biglia are both believed to be on Wenger's wish list. With the north London club currently sixth in the table and rivals Tottenham and Chelsea continue to augment their attacking options, the Frenchman will no doubt be considering whether his squad have the ability to replicate the form which earned them a Champions League place in the second half of last season.

Part of the reason the Gunners were able to qualify for the European tournament for the 16th time in a row in their last campaign was due to a late season collapse from Tottenham, as Spurs fans grew in excitement that they might finish above their rivals for the first time since 1995.

Andre Villas-Boas has made his intention to square up to Arsenal over the course of this season clear, with the Portuguese tactician saying in November: "We have to [finish above the Gunners]."

With that in mind, reinforcements will be high on Arsenal's agenda this month.

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