Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to keep young midfielder Fran Merida at the club.

The 19-year old Spaniard has been linked with a return to his homeland to join either Atletico Madrid or Sevilla but Wenger wants to sign him on a five-year deal.

Merida was sent out on loan to Real Sociedad in 2008 and has featured just three times in the Gunners' first team since 2007 but Wenger sees him as a good long-term prospect.