Stam staying with Lazio

Reports on Monday claimed he and his agents were discussing a deal with The Gunners.

The rumours appeared to have little foundation as Stam and his representatives have always maintained that the giant Dutchman has no interest in returning to England.

Stam has now moved to end the transfer talk by saying a return to England with former club Manchester United`s biggest rivals is not on the cards.

If a transfer is to happen it will be an internal Serie A move, although the player now appears to be leaning towards remaining at Lazio.

Financial troubles forced Lazio to make the defender available during last season, but with the woes at the Stadio Olimpico seemingly easing Stam now seems set to stay on under Roberto Mancini.

More positive news for Lazio came from cultured midfielder Dejan Stankovic, who has stressed that he wants to stay in the Eternal City.

The midfielder was rumoured to be one of those on his way out of the club, but with Lazio now on a more even keel after receiving a financial injection, Stankovic seems set to stay.

He said: "I know in the next days my agent and the club's representatives will talk, but I don't know more.

"I want to stay at Lazio."

Stankovic appears happy that he will have certainty in his life, as he added: "For the first time since I've been in Italy I'll start a season knowing where I'll play. I know, from the first day's training, that coach Roberto Mancini will want to use me in that role.

"In the past it hasn't been easy for me. When I tried it on the right, for example, for me it was a nightmare, I was completely in crisis."