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Arsene Wenger insisted on Thursday he is not interested in bringing Palermo starlet Paulo Dybala to Arsenal.

The Gunners manager responded to ongoing rumours during his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool's visit to the Emirates on Saturday.

Wenger provided a stern retort to Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini, who suggested the north London club has made an offer for Dybala, per ESPN FC. Miguel Delaney of ESPN tweeted Wenger's comments:

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Zamparini previously told Radio Marte Sport (h/t ESPN FC) that "Juventus and Arsenal have already made offers for the boy. (Pierpaolo) Triulzi, his agent, will be in Italy on Friday."

He also indicated the player "cannot be worth less than €40 million" and that "Arsenal is his first choice" out of the English clubs said to be involved, per ESPN FC. Wenger has shot down his side's interest, though, so Zamparini's comments can be accused of misguiding the speculation.

He continues to speak readily about Dybala, a player who stands to make Palermo a huge sum. It's possible Zamparini is deliberately adding to the hype. He previously indicated Dybala will be a greater player than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi "within two years," per Mediaset (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), a claim that either signals immense faith or hyperbole.

Dybala is a quality striker with plenty to improve. His 12 goals and seven assists in Serie A this season, per WhoScored.com, have highlighted a technically sound, clinical finisher who could offer an elite club something special. A €40 million price tag is paying for potential at this point, and if Wenger doesn't change his mind, it's likely another top side will snap him up.

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However, the Arsenal manager's attraction to Dybala may increase with the reiteration Marco Reus remains vital to Borussia Dortmund.

Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph believes Arsenal "remain interested" in the German international, but BVB Sporting Director Hans-Joachim Watzke recently told Sport Bild both Reus and Mats Hummels are destined to stay at the Westfalenstadion (h/t Harris), saying, "Like Marco Reus, Mats shapes our team and that should not change for as long as possible."

Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is essential to landing such a player. B/R UK's James McNicholas recently outlined how Arsenal can take their prospects to the next level when 2015-16 rolls around:

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Wenger's open denial of interest in Dybala may halt rumours on this front, but he's expected to strengthen well when the campaign ends.

It's likely Arsenal will finish third and could win the FA Cup in the coming weeks. While such a result would amount to a positive season, the Gunners' failure to mount a serious title challenge may grab the attention of most onlookers.

Dybala and Reus would be serious captures for the club, players who could take Arsenal to the next level. Right now, both seem unlikely to wear red and white anytime soon.