The highly-rated Zokora is expected to leave St Etienne this summer

Zokora comes from the same Ivory Coast school of football as Arsenal duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, but Wenger said: "We are not after him."

Wenger hopes to add to his squad during the January transfer window but will not spend over the odds.

"It would be good to find one player - and if we find one, we will buy - but not just for the sake of it," he said.

He also ruled out a move for ex-Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt, saying "he's a good player but it would only be a short-term solution and I have not thought about it."

Wenger needs to strengthen his defence, especially with Toure and Eboue off to the African Nations' Cup in mid-January, but said: "I hope to have Ashley Cole back from injury by then."

Arsenal, who have slipped to eighth in the table, have money to spend having sold Patrick Vieira last summer while signing only Alexander Hleb.

Ivory Coast star Zokora had been touted as a possible target and the 25-year-old midfielder has permission to leave St Etienne at the end of this season for about �10m.