- Chelsea shortlisted Luis Enrique as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte
- The Spaniard left his post as Barcelona manager at the end of last season
- Arsenal could hijack Chelsea’s move for Enrique with an offer of their own
- Arsene Wenger still has another season left to run on his current contract
Arsenal are lining up a move to snatch former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique from under the nose of rivals Chelsea.
Enrique has been out of management since he left the Barcelona dugout for good at the end of last season, but has been on the shortlist of potential replacements for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Chelsea could be preparing for life after Conte already, who has come to blows recently with owner Roman Abramovich and director Marina Granovskaia.
Arsenal are hopeful of beating rivals Chelsea to the appointment of Luis Enrique
However, Chelsea are not the only English outfit reportedly in the market for a new manager, with rivals Arsenal also joining the race for Enrique.
According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners may be tempted in relieving Arsene Wenger of his duties earlier than many originally expected, with Enrique a potential suitor.
It’s true that Enrique would fit the Arsenal mould having managed one of the best – if not the best – passing teams in recent times, but despite his deepest fears Wenger has refused to budge.
Enrique has been out of management since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season
Arsenal could be plotting to replace Arsene Wenger before his contract expires next year
His contract still has another season left to run before it expires in June 2019 and, speaking in January, was very clear about his position at the Emirates.
He said: ‘Will I be here next season? My contract clarifies that. Have I ever walked away (from a contract)? Never. Why should I change?’
Wenger may feel his position is even more solidified now as well, having just imported a fresh forward pairing in Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United – swapped with Alexis Sanchez – and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.
Wenger has stood firm recently, claiming he will be Arsenal’s manager next season
The forwards, who played together at Dortmund, got off to a blistering start to life at the Emirates with a goal for Aubameyang on his debut against Everton and three assists for Mkhitaryan on his second appearance for the Gunners.
Wenger will hope his latest arrivals can fire Arsenal back into the top four with a strong finish to the season and reaffirm his position at the helm, starting with a victory in the North London derby with Tottenham on Saturday.
