Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he's NEVER considered signing Joey Barton.

Burnley midfielder Barton claims he was due to meet Wenger for talks over a free transfer switch in the summer of 2011.

Wenger said: “I've been contacted many times to take Joey Barton. But he was never close to signing.

"We had some fights with him, that's true. There was never any need (to take him) in midfield." The 34-year-old faces Arsenal tomorrow after relaunching his Premier League career with the Clarets.