Report: Lisandro Lopez set for Arsenal stay

Arsenal de Sarandi have reiterated their desire to keep star defender Lisandro Lopez, reportedly rejecting an approach from Internacional.

Ole claims that the Argentina Primera Division club have dismissed a formal bid from Brazilian Serie A heavyweights Internacional, who are keen to sign one of the highest-rated young centre-backs in Argentine football.

Internacional club director Fernandao even travelled to Sarandi to negotiate for the Lisandro, but Arsenal are adamant they want to keep him at least until the 2012 Copa Libertadores campaign.

Lisandro – signed him from Chacarita Juniors in 2010 – wants to remain at the club for at least the next six months, though his future beyond that was less clear.

“I will play the next six months here, I am very happy and thinking about our three competitions,” the 22-year-old said, referring to the Clausura, Libertadores and Copa Argentina campaigns.

“Inter’s interest is the most concrete, I was also called from Porto and some other teams that have been in touch but the offer was not what the club were looking for.”

Lopez has been an immovable member of the Arsenal defence since arriving at age 20, and his prowess at set pieces has also seen him notch eight goals in the 18 months he has spent in Sarandi.

His performances led to a national-team debut in 2011.