The 21-year-old forward, who joined from Seville 16 months ago, has been linked with a move back to Spain but Wenger said: "I am not aware of Real Madrid getting in touch about Jose. And I want to keep him here.

"In my heart of hearts, I think he will be here next season. My determination to keep Jose here is great," the Frenchman told Friday's London Evening Standard.

"I have said many times that I do not buy a player of his age to sell him one year later. If Real Madrid wanted to buy him, they could have bought him a year ago. They can forget it."

Reyes's form has improved in recent weeks and Wenger believes he will overcome his problems of homesickness and adjust to the Premiership in the way that Thierry Henry and Robert Pires did.