ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a bid for Bury's highly-rated young keeper Paddy Kenny.

The Gunners boss remained tight-lipped when he was asked yesterday whether he was interested in signing Kenny.

Wenger said he wasn't prepared to comment on the matter.

But the Frenchman's non-committal reply is sure to fuel speculation that the Premiership giants are about to launch a bid for the sought-after Shakers custodian, who has kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches - form which has helped propel Bury to second from top.

Bury boss Andy Preece hasn't received a bid for the keeper but said he acknowledged that it was only natural for other managers to be interested.

"The phone's not rung yet ... thank God ... but I suppose it's only a matter of time," conceded Preece.

"When you're second from top with a defensive record like ours it's something that's bound to happen."

If Wenger is to capture Kenny he will have to pay because the Shakers boss, along with Bury chairman Terry Robinson, has vowed no one will leave Gigg Lane unless the price is right.

That means Kenny's unlikely to go for less than £1m, possibly even double if the Shakers hold out.

And as Preece has stated, though he doesn't want to sell any players, one big payout is preferable to losing several players for smaller fees.

Meanwhile, the Bury boss will put all the speculation behind him tomorrow when the Shakers head South for a tough trip at Millwall.

The Londoners are unbeaten since former Leicester and Wolves manager Mark McGhee took over.

Dangermen for Millwall are Neil Harris, who has already hit seven goals, and skilful Belgium winger Christophe Kinet.

For Bury, Indian international Baichung Bhutia may replace Lutel James up front but apart from that Preece is likely to stick with the team which beat Bristol Rovers in a tight match last Friday at Gigg.