Wenger denies Lehmann heading to Dortmund

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denied Wednesday newspaper reports in Germany that goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, seen here in 2007, was on the brink of joining Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denied Wednesday newspaper reports in Germany that goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was on the brink of joining Borussia Dortmund.

"It's not true," Wenger told Sky Sports after Arsenal's 1-1 League Cup semi-final first leg draw at the Emirates Stadium. "Not for Jens and not for us," the Frenchman added.

"I deny that Jens has agreed personal terms with Dortmund and I deny that we have an agreement with Dortmund."

The German club's sporting director Michael Zorc told Thursday's edition of the Bild newspaper: "Between Lehmann and ourselves everything has been settled, we've been in permanent contact.

"There are a few details to sort out, but they're nothing to do with Dortmund. As far as salary is concerned, Jens and Dortmund have reached an agreement."

According to Zorc, a deal could be reached within the coming days, allowing Lehmann to join the team on their winter break training camp in Marbella, Spain which begins Thursday.

Germany international Lehmann has lost his Arsenal place to Manuel Almunia and Dortmund have been trying to put together a deal to take him to the Bundesliga.

The 38-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gunners are believed to be ready to offer him a free transfer.

Even though Wenger routinely fields second-string sides in the League Cup, there was no place in the team for Lehmann on Wednesday with Lukasz Fabianski in goal for Arsenal.