HITC understands that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a name that has been discussed at the highest levels at Barcelona, as they now look for a new head coach following Xavi’s decision to quit the club.
Xavi revealed on Saturday evening that he was walking away from the job at the end of the season, but he informed the club earlier this month that he would be leaving.
HITC understands that sporting director Deco has already been working head on potential successors and one name to emerge is Arteta.
Appreciated
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told HITC that Arteta is ‘appreciated’ within the corridors of power for the work he has done at Arsenal.
Basque-born Arteta spent his formative years in Barcelona’s La Masia academy and is held in very high regard in Catalonia.
Arteta’s current deal at Arsenal is due to expire in 2025 and HITC understands that contract talks with The Gunners are advanced and they are ‘confident’ that he will soon put pen-to-paper on a new deal at The Emirates.
Arteta has been linked with Barcelona before and is one name on Manchester City’s list to replace Pep Guardiola in the future, but Arsenal firmly believe his long-term future is in North London.
Xavi and Klopp on same weekend
The news of Xavi’s departure has come on the same weekend that Jurgen Klopp confirmed he was leaving Liverpool and it is no shock to see his name already linked to the role.
Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta – currently in charge of Bologna, are also amongst the initial names being linked with one of the biggest jobs in world football.
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