Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly emerging as a target for Barcelona, who will need a new manager next season as current boss Xavi recently announced he’d be leaving at the end of this campaign.
The Spanish tactician is only in his first job in management but has done tremendous work at the Emirates Stadium, turning things around after a slow start to lift Arsenal back to being serious Premier League title contenders again, as well as getting them back in the Champions League.
The Gunners’ recent form has been particularly eye-catching as they’ve thrashed Sheffield United and West Ham 6-0 away from home, and Burnley 5-0 away from home, while they also outplayed title rivals Liverpool in a recent 3-1 win.
According to Relevo, key figures at Barcelona such as club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco like Arteta, and some contact has recently been made to sound him out as Xavi’s replacement.
Arteta to Barcelona – how likely is this move?
One potential worry for Arsenal is that Arteta’s current contract in north London expires in 2025, so the club will want to get him tied down to a new deal as soon as possible to avoid clubs like Barca sniffing around.
Still, the 41-year-old has often sounded very committed to his current employers, so it remains to be seen if he’d already be willing to walk away from this project after all the work he’s put in to get them to where they are now, with the growing feeling that they’re on the verge of something very special at the Emirates.
Speaking to CaughtOffside recently, Fabrizio Romano called for calm over Arteta’s contract and future, saying: “There is no news on Arteta, but they’re not in a rush, they are very happy together. Arteta loves Arsenal and the club is very happy with him, so there’s no rush, all parties are relaxed.”