Marseille defender Jules Kounde has confirmed that he will not be joining Arsenal, despite the Gunners making him one of their top transfer targets.
The France international was heavily linked with a move to Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, but the player himself has now put an end to those speculations.
In a statement released on his official Instagram page, Kounde said: "After careful consideration, I have decided not to join Arsenal Football Club.
"I am proud to have represented my country at international level for 2 years. My loyalty is to Marseille and to this club. We all know what we can achieve together."
Kounde's decision comes after Arsenal had been linked with the Frenchman since January, with the club reportedly considering a loan deal or even a permanent switch.
However, the player has chosen to stay with Marseille, where he has enjoyed a successful season so far, scoring four goals and providing three assists in Ligue 1.
The defender's decision to reject Arsenal's offer is likely to come as a blow to the Gunners' transfer plans for the summer, although it remains to be seen whether they will look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Regardless, Kounde's commitment to Marseille is clear, and the club will hope to build on its strong start to the season under new manager Lucien Favre.