- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Arsenal are pushing to try and tie head coach Mikel Arteta down to a long-term contract.
The 41-year-old has been in the Arsenal dugout since December 2019 after replacing Unai Emery, with the team now pushing for the Premier League title.
In the Spaniard’s homeland, Barcelona will part ways with Xavi Hernandez at the end of the season and the La Liga giants are now on the lookout for a new manager.
Mikel Arteta at Barcelona and Manchester City
HITC revealed earlier this year that Mikel Arteta was very much in Barcelona’s thinking to replace Xavi.
The FA Cup-winning boss was quick to deny local reports in Catalunya that a deal was agreed, but HITC understands that, whilst Barca are looking at several options, the former midfielder is someone they desire most.
The Arsenal boss started his career at the Nou Camp as a youngster, and whilst he didn’t make a first-team appearance, he went on to carve a successful career in Scotland and England.
Free agent Hansi Flick, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann are also in Barcelona’s thinking, whilst their former boss, Luis Enrique has also been discussed, but he is likely to commit to PSG.
HITC also understands that Mikel Arteta remains someone who Manchester City’s top brass respect massively and he is on their ‘long list’ as a possible Pep Guardiola replacement – who like Arteta is only contracted to 2025.
New Mikel Arteta contract at Arsenal
Arsenal’s hierarchy are aware of the interest in their coach – who is emerging as one of the top young managers in world football.
Having been the ones to give him his chance, they now want to reward his progress with a new long-term deal and talks with his representatives have taken place.
Arteta himself is fully focused on Arsenal’s title charge and Champions League campaign, and the club accept they might have to wait until the end of the season for him to put pen-to-paper – but they would like an agreement reached in principle.
The Gunners are two points behind leaders Liverpool in the title race, but they can go top if they beat Brentford during the evening kick-off on Saturday.
That’s when attention will turn to the blockbuster showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday, but by then, Arteta will have his focus on the Champions League 2nd leg clash against Porto and trying to overcome his side’s 1-0 deficit.
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