Don't Miss

Arsenal in advanced talks with Luis Enrique to replace Arsene Wenger [L’Equipe]

By mac14 on April 26, 2018

According to respected French newspaper L’Equipe, Arsenal are in advanced negotiations with Luis Enrique about him replacing Arsene Wenger as manager this summer.

The Arsenal hierarchy have been searching for a new manager after Wenger announced his decision to end his 22-year reign in north London last Friday.

Several names have been linked with the position but Enrique has emerged as the bookmakers favourite with several reports suggesting he is the preference for Raul Sanllehi.

Our new Head of Operations worked with Enrique during their time together at Barcelona and it seems Sanllehi is working hard to secure a reunion at the Emirates.

L’Equipe claim that Sanllehi has been holding serious discussions with the 47-year-old in recent days and talks are advancing well. The French publication says Enrique is interested in the job and the board feel he’d be a good fit as he appreciates Arsenal’s values and philosophy.

There have been reports suggesting the former Barca coach wants around £15m-per-season – which is likely to be a sticking point – and L’Equipe say Arsenal have lined-up Carlo Ancelotti, Patrick Vieira and Leonardo Jardim as back-up options if they fail to strike a deal with Enrique.

So it looks like the Spaniard is emerging as the front-runner and I’d be happy enough if Enrique was the man to take over from Wenger.

He won the Champions League and league titles with Barcelona and he’s still young enough to be considered a modern-day coach rather than old-timer but the main obstacle seems to be his wage demands.

If a deal can’t be agreed, I still think Max Allegri is the man for the job but the board seems to be leaning towards going for a younger manager. If so, I’d opt for Vieira over the likes of Mikel Arteta or Thierry Henry.