Mikel Arteta considering Arsenal summer exit amid Barcelona links – report

There could be a managerial merry-go-round during the summer at some of the top clubs in Europe, with Barcelona and Liverpool being among those on the lookout for a new head coach.

Indeed, Barça manager Xavi Hernandez confirmed on Saturday night that he would be stepping down from his post at the end of the season.

The announcement came after a disappointing run of results that had led to intense pressure on the former midfielder. And even though the board, led by president Joan Laporta, tried to convince him to reconsider his decision, Xavi has made up his mind.

Replacements identified

With Barcelona needing a replacement for Xavi for the summer, a search is already underway at the club for a new manager for the 2024/25 season.

Names like Jurgen Klopp, who will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, Imanol Alguacil, Thiago Motta, as well as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta have been mentioned as possible options to succeed Xavi at Barcelona.

Arteta is a former Barça player and knows the way and philosophy of the club and picked up a lot of things while he served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Manchester City.

The Spaniard has turned Arsenal into contenders for the Premier League title and is viewed in high regard at Barcelona as a possible option to replace Xavi.

Arteta could leave Arsenal in the summer

Arteta could leave Arsenal in the summer. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Amidst the links to Barcelona, Tomas Andreu of SPORT is now reporting that Arteta is considering the possibility of leaving Arsenal at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has a contract with the Premier League club until the summer of 2025. However, as per the report, Arteta is seriously weighing up the possibility of terminating his contract a year earlier and has spoken about it with his entourage.

The passing of the years and the tensions experienced in recent seasons seem to have also taken their toll on the Arsenal manager, making him consider stepping down.

The good relationship he has with Arsenal’s owners would allow him to agree a possible consensual exit once the season is over.

No one from Barcelona has contacted Arteta or his agents to date. However, it is clear that Laporta has always held him in high regard. Whether it turns into an approach to replace Xavi remains to be seen.