Wenger has a reputation for giving opportunities to young players

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down hopes that Southampton midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is close to joining the club.

Wenger had previously said that "we will try now" to sign the 17-year-old, adding: "We'll try as hard as we can."

But with several other clubs also pursuing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger said on Tuesday that he was not close to concluding a deal.

"There is no news and I'd be surprised if there will be any," said Wenger.

Liverpool, Tottenham and Fulham have all been linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain, while there are now reports that Manchester United are also lining up a bid for the player.

Wenger had hoped Arsenal's reputation for turning promising young players, such as Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshire, into established stars would persuade Oxlade-Chamberlain to choose the north London outfit.

PAUL FLETCHER'S BLOG Southampton's prodigiously talented and very fast winger is the subject of much speculation

But Saints manager Nigel Adkins, said earlier this month he is determined to keep hold of the youngster.

The son of former England international Mark Chamberlain, Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Southampton's youth system aged seven and at the age of 16 years and 199 days became the club's second-youngest debutant, after Walcott, in March 2010.

He scored on his full debut in a 2-0 Carling Cup win over Bournemouth in August just before his 17th birthday and signed a three-year professional contract with the club a week later.

Having started out as a central midfielder, Oxlade-Chamberlain has become a Saints regular on the wing this season, scoring eight goals in 19 starts.

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