Recent reports in Spain have linked Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a shock move to Barcelona at the end of the season.
This comes after Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez announced that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of the current campaign, following his side’s disastrous home defeat to Villarreal on Saturday.
Arteta has 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal, having signed his latest deal in May 2022, and despite some disappointing recent results, is still an incredibly popular figure at the Emirates Stadium.
It was reported in Spain that Arteta was to leave North London at the end of the season following Xavi’s announcement, but this story was quickly debunked.
HITC Journalist Graeme Bailey has now exclusively told Arsenal Insider that although there is very real interest from Barcelona, Arsenal are confident that they will keep their manager.
Arsenal confident of Arteta deal despite Barcelona links
Bailey has now revealed that Arsenal have been in talks with Arteta for some time over a new deal, and are not overly concerned about the Barcelona links as they hope to extend his contract.
“In Spain, they are quite surprised that Arteta is out of contract in 18 months’ time, that’s a very dangerous time for Arsenal,” he explained.
“Arsenal for their part, have been in talks with Arteta since the start of the season. It’s not a sudden case of ‘we’ll now give him a deal,’ there have been talks ongoing.
“Arsenal from their side are confident that he’s going to sign a new deal. They are not overly worried.”
Should Arteta sign his new deal, it would end all speculation over his future, but there may still be fears among Arsenal fans until this is confirmed, or Barcelona appoint someone else.
Should Arsenal be worried about Barcelona’s interest in Mikel Arteta?
Arteta’s status as one of the best young managers in the world, as well as a former Barcelona player and La Masia graduate, meant that links with Barcelona were always inevitable as soon as Xavi came under pressure.
Barcelona tend to hire managers with some sort of connection to the club: Xavi is one of their greatest-ever players, whilst Ronald Koeman, Ernesto Valverde and Luis Enrique all played for the club.
Bailey has also explained that the presence of former Barcelona midfielder Deco as a sporting director, may make their project more appealing to Arteta.
“Barcelona would have been doing their due diligence. Deco is a very dynamic figure, which I think if I was Arsenal, that would be my worry. Deco may be a very appealing person to work with. It’s a very different prospect to simply speaking to (Barcelona President) Joan Laporta,” Bailey added.
Arteta has been heavily backed in the transfer market during his time at Arsenal, with the club recently spending huge fees on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz as his own top targets. With Barcelona struggling financially, their project would likely not involve similar levels of backing at this point in time.
Xavi is stepping down from his role after heavy pressure in what is one of the most difficult jobs in world football. Arteta rode out pressure during his early years at Arsenal to pursue his long-term project at the Emirates, and has built a young, competitive squad to his desires.
It therefore feels highly unlikely that Arteta will abandon his long-term vision at Arsenal to join Barcelona at this stage, even if he is highly appreciated by the La Liga giants.
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