Arsene Wenger Calls Rumours of AC Milan Talks 'Fake News'

Arsene Wenger has refuted reports he is in talks to become manager of Serie A side AC Milan, dubbing the recent rumours "fake news."

Speaking on beIN Sports (h/t Allan Valente of Sky Sports), Wenger said: "The only thing I can say is, it's fake news. If I signed somewhere, I would tell you. It's wrong. I cannot master the rumours; I can only master what I do in my life. That's wrong as well."

The Frenchman said he "will be somewhere, but I don't know where."

Wenger stepped down as Arsenal manager this summer after nearly 22 years in charge and has yet to return to club management.

France Football (h/t MailOnline's Jordan Seward) had reported Wenger was in negotiations to replace Gennaro Gattuso in the Rossoneri hot seat ahead of former Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis taking over in Milan this December.

Lai Seng Sin/Associated Press

Wenger has spoken candidly about his desire to return to management, despite only recently calling time on his lengthy tenure with the Gunners. The 69-year-old has said he won't come back to England's top flight after forging such a deep connection with Arsenal, per Richard Forrester of The Sun.

While Wenger may remain affectionate toward Arsenal, many of the club's supporters were glad to see the back of him. Protests against the long-standing manager became common in recent seasons after Wenger endured a nine-year wait for a trophy before winning the FA Cup in 2014.

He didn't win another Premier League title after a third such triumph in 2004.

Since he stepped down, many have wholeheartedly embraced the new era of head coach Unai Emery. They've saluted the Spaniard's impressive 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions with chants of "we've got our Arsenal back."

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

Meanwhile, many pundits and former players have been quick to praise Emery for doing things differently to Wenger, including ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright.

He lauded Emery's willingness to make early and decisive substitutions, following the Gunners' 1-1 home draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, during an appearance on BBC Match of the Day (h/t Charlie Malam of the Daily Express): "We've got a manager now who is not afraid to make changes, and the changes are making a difference."

Other supporters have relished Emery's more enthusiastic and demonstrative demeanour on the touchline:

For those revelling in the post-Wenger era, it's easy to forget all the decorated manager achieved in north London:

Those achievements are part of the many reasons why Wenger has found himself linked with so many big clubs since he left Arsenal. Aside from Milan, Wenger has been touted as a candidate to take over at Real Madrid, by Ian McGarry of the Transfer Window Podcast(h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Express).

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have also been linked:

Wenger merits those links after the way he redefined Arsenal in terms of playing style and guided the club into football's modern era. He also helped keep the books balanced by delivering UEFA Champions League football for two decades and unearthing and developing potential stars on the cheap.

Wenger's fidelity to creative, attacking football and building through youth makes him an attractive candidate for any top club in Europe.

If he's not close to Milan, expect other notable teams to sound out the experienced winner and team-builder before the start of 2019.