Paris Saint-Germain have made an approach for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to become their new manager, according to reports in France.
The Ligue 1 champions are on the hunt for a new head coach – their fourth in five years – following their decision to sack Christophe Galtier after one season in charge, and just days after winning the title.
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PSG were in discussions with German coach Julian Nagelsmann to take over following his exit as Bayern Munich manager earlier in the season, but it is claimed those talks have collapsed.
That saw chiefs turn their attention to Arteta, with French outlet RMC reporting PSG sporting director Luis Campos has spoken to the Arsenal manager ‘in recent weeks’ over the possibility of him leaving the Premier League club to return to Paris.
Arteta is a former PSG player, having spent an 18-month loan spell with the French giants during his early career at Barcelona.
But it’s good news for worried Gunners fans, as it appears Arteta – whose Arsenal’s contract runs until 2024 – turned the offer down.
The report claims the chances of Arteta talking over at PSG ‘are almost nil’ with the Spaniard supposedly telling Campo he is happy in north London.
It is said Arteta ‘feels good’ about the project at Arsenal and has no plans to leave anytime soon, especially having just secured a return to Champions League football.
And it is also noted that the Spaniard is not willing to work at a club where he would not have the final say on transfers – which is the case at Parc des Princes.
And speaking on transfers, Arteta’s summer recruitment plans are already well underway – another sign of his commitment to the project at the Emirates Stadium.
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The Gunners have submitted bids for Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, as Arteta looks to add strength in depth to his team that ran Man City so close in the Premier League title race.
Both of those bids – £80m plus £10m in add-ons to West Ham for Rice, and £50m to Chelsea for Havertz – were rejected, but the Gunners are expected to submit improved offers for both players.
Arsenal are understood to be keen on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, too.
With Man City also linked with a strong interest in Rice, Arteta is keeping his options open as he aims to add some backbone to his midfield this summer.
But Caicedo would not come cheap – talkSPORT sources understand Brighton are demanding a similar fee to Rice, around £100m, to part with their star player.
