Arsenal may have been handed a major boost ahead of the summer transfer window, with Barcelona unlikely to push to try and hire Mikel Arteta.
That’s according to Sport, who say that while the Basque coach is well thought of at Camp Nou, any move to make him Xavi’s successor is unlikely.
They explain that Arteta is liked at Barcelona and his work at Arsenal, as well as under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has not gone unnoticed and even ‘endorsed’ him.
The Blaugrana have thought about moving to try and make him their new manager but the information they’ve received is that any departure would be ‘very complicated’.
That’s because Arteta is tied to Arsenal until 2025 and Barcelona have been informed he will not force an exit from the Emirates.
In fact, he has a renewal offer on the table and has made it known publically that he would not be leaving in the summer.
They say ‘it would be strange’ if he were to back out of that, meaning it is very likely he will be remaining at Arsenal and Barcelona will be looking elsewhere for their new manager.