BARCELONA Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger is flattered by reports that Barcelona have earmarked him as coach but will only leave if the premiership club say they don't want him.

"All I can say is that it fills me with pride that a such a prestigious club may be thinking of me," Wenger was quoted as saying in an interview with Barcelona-based newspaper **** Sport **** published on Saturday.

"It is very satisfying because Barcelona are one of the most important clubs in the world."

But the Frenchman made it clear that the Catalan club, who are reported to be casting around for a replacement for embattled Coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer, had not contacted him.

"All I know is what I have read in the papers. I have taken this supposed interest as more of a compliment than anything else," he said.

Wenger stressed that his loyalties lay with Arsenal, and only when his contract expires would he consider his future.

"I have, as everyone knows, a contract with Arsenal until June 30, 2002. After that date I will be free to choose my own future and we will see what happens."

"If at the end of this season Arsenal say they don't want me, then we will see what I will do. But at the moment i am only thinking of Arsenal."

Wenger also made it clear that he would only ever consider managing a club that gave him the same powers as he enjoyed at Arsenal.

"According to my view of football, the general manager and the coach should be the same person, because he should have the responsibility of signing players. I only work with players that I have signed."

"The way I see it anyone can train a team on a daily basis. The difficult part is to plan and construct a team. That is a very different matter," he said.

(Reuter)