Barcelona make final decision in pursuit of Arteta amid Arsenal contract fears

28 February 2024 , 15:53

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Mikel Arteta has 18 months left to run on his Arsenal deal (Image: PA)

Barcelona have given up hope of prying Mikel Arteta away from Arsenal in time for the Spaniard to succeed Xavi next season.

Club legend Xavi surprised everyone associated with the Blaugrana when he confirmed he'd be stepping down from his role as manager, less than 12 months after winning the La Liga title. Since his announcement last month, Barcelona have been linked with several big names, including Gunners boss Arteta.

The man in the Emirates hot seat has ties to Barcelona, given it was where he started his career and those at the top of the Camp Nou hierarchy have been left impressed by the work Arteta has overseen at Arsenal. The 41-year-old has transformed the Gunners since his appointment in 2019 and is aiming to end their lengthy wait for a league title.

Arteta has just 18 months left to run on his current Arsenal deal and some sections of the Emirates faithful are concerned that interest from elsewhere could turn their manager's head if his contract isn't extended sooner rather than later.

With that being said, Arteta did issue an emphatic response when asked about the rumours touting him as Xavi's successor. He told reporters: "That’s totally fake news.

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"What you read yesterday is… I don’t know where it is coming from, and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it. I could not believe [it]. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source.

"It has got nothing, and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things to put it in the way it was put yesterday. I am in the right place. I am with the right people.

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Mikel Arteta was previously touted as the man to take over from Xavi at Barcelona

"I feel really good about it. As I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people, and there is still a lot to do."

Those remarks may have done the trick when it comes to cooling Barcelona's interest, as Spanish outlet Sport claim the La Liga titans have now turned their attention to other targets as Arsenal stand firm. Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann are two names that have been linked instead.

The same aforementioned reports have also claimed that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has asked Xavi to consider remaining in his role for another campaign.

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Josh O'Brien