Buendia insists he feels happy and important at Norwich amid links to Arsenal

Emiliano Buendia has insisted he has always been focused on Norwich despite the continuing rumours linking him with a January move to Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta is keen to move a number of fringe players out this month but is also targeting a few incomings including an attacking midfielder to help the club's push for the second half of the season.

Argentinian Buendia has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as has Borussia Dortmund and Germany star Julian Brandt, but the 24-year-old stated he 'belongs' to the Canaries - who value him at £40million - and feels very happy and important at Carrow Road.

'It is true that there was a lot of talk in the summer, after relegation, about the possibility that both I and other teammates could leave the team to continue in the Premier League,' Buendia told Radio Residencias in Argentina.

'However, I always had my head in this club. I belong to Norwich, I have to do things well for my team. Tomorrow we will see, but I never had my head outside the objectives, to work so that my club does well.

'As this season unfolds, we are doing well and I am very happy to be here. We are in a good position, I am feeling important, I am adding goals and assists for my teammates.'

Recent reports have suggested Norwich will ignore all offers for Buendia this month in their chase of the £170m windfall of Premier League promotion.

The club sit top of the Championship after 23 games, four points clear of second-place Swansea, and Buendia has insisted he wants a return to the top-flight as soon as possible.

'I always say it. It [the Premier League] is the best league in the world, it is the one that makes the difference at all levels,' Buendia told Argentine outlet La Capital.

'Any team makes life difficult for anyone, it is very complicated. The organisational level is perfect, the stadiums have a lot of history, the conditions for playing football are ideal, there are no excuses. And the players and the teams are the best.

'I aspire to the best and work every day to get back to it, either in my team or through a transfer. Returning to the Premier League in the short term is a dream.'

Reports already this month have suggested that the north London club would be prepared to offer Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson in a player-plus-cash deal for Buendia.

However speaking last weekend, Norwich boss Daniel Farke insisted the club would not been parting ways with the star this month.

'Emi is a key player for us, an important member of the group, and he is totally committed to us,' Farke said.

'He is our player and will continue to be our player – he is on a long-term contract with the club so we keep him.'