Birmingham deny Gunners' Purse bid talk

With Tony Adams and Martin Keown coming towards the end of their careers, Arsene Wenger seems certain to be casting his net to try and find some up and coming replacements. Purse has been one of Birmingham's star performers this season and his commanding display against Liverpool in the final of the Worthington Cup sent his profile soaring. While he may have blotted his copy book somewhat by getting himself sent-off against Blackburn Rovers last week, he still remains a major star in the making and, with that in mind, Francis has confirmed that Birmingham are planning to sit down with him at the end of the season and thrash out terms for a new long-term contract at St Andrews. Of the speculation linking him with a switch to Arsenal, Francis said: "There are plenty of rumours that go around in football and I am pleased to say that it is just a rumour. "I have not heard anything about that. At this moment, Darren is very much one of us. He is having a fantastic season. "He has progressed into one of the best centre halves in the First Division and we have promised him that at the end of this season we will sit down and give him a new contract."