Breaking: Barcelona make surprise contact with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta

While Barcelona did expect a lot from Xavi Hernandez when they appointed the Spaniard, the 44-year-old turned the team around. Less than eighteen months after he was appointed, Xavi lead the club to a league title, their first since Ernesto Valverde won the La Liga in the 2018/19 season. The Catalan giants have endured troubled times since then as they have been saddled with severe financial issues.

That hasn’t helped Xavi’s cause as the Spaniard confirmed, just before the turn of the year, that he is set to leave the Spotify Camp Nou at the end of this season. His decision has shocked more than a few fans and critics with many inside Barcelona’s back-office also stunned. However, it has forced Barcelona’s sporting director Deco to take action with several names on a shortlist to replace Xavi.

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Barcelona touch base with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta over replacing Xavi

Reportedly, at the top of that list is Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, a former La Masia youth academy product with the Spaniard doing very well at Arsenal. The North Londoners have been on an upwards curve ever since Arteta took over and it has attracted a lot of attention. Reports have indicated that Manchester City are also keen on bringing Arteta over to replace Pep Guardiola when he leaves.

However, according to Alex Pintanel of Relevo, Barcelona have already touched base with Arteta as they sound out a potential move back to Spain. The report has indicated that the club have spoken to the Arsenal boss’ closest circle and even the 41-year-old himself to see if there is interest. But any potential move will be complicated by the fact that Arteta’s contract runs until 2025.

Furthermore, Pintanel of Relevo, also reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is also a big fan of the Basque manager and believes he may be the man to lead the club back to great things. Yet both Deco and Laporta know that a move will be tough and are thus looking at other options as well. Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is on a shortlist that also features Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and former Germany manager Hansi Flick.