Arsenal target Diakite staying at Lazio

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal target Modibo Diakite will not be leaving Lazio in the winter transfer market, according to the player's agent.

The French defender has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, however, Diakite's agent Pino Letterio claims the 21-year-old is happy at Lazio and will not leave the Serie A outfit.

"He is not moving away from Rome," said Letterio to Italian radio station Teleradioestero.

"Lazio is like his family and he has no intention to leave the (Italian) capital.

"There is no possibility that Modibo will leave Lazio also because he has just signed a five-year contract extension.

"Lazio does not want to see go a player they have helped develop leave."

Diakite has made four starts for the Biancoceleste this season.