Those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy are thought to view Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as the potential succeessor to Mikel Arteta as Gunners boss.
The specualtion comes amid rumours that Spanish giants Real Madrid have one eye on Arteta to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 41-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable season in the Emirates hot-seat, inspiring the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table with an eight-point advantage over nearest challengers Manchester City.
As a result, Arteta is now attracting some high-profile admirers and few clubs are harder to turn down than 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid. In turn, Italian outlet Tuttosport have claimed the Gunners are quietly mulling over what life after Arteta could look like if he does depart in the future.
It must be said, the Arsenal boss was pressed for an answer on the links to Los Blancos last month, to which he replied: "It’s things that managers or players can’t control what is written.
"What I can tell is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it."
Despite this, reports are still rife that De Zerbi could be the next in line. The Italian only arrived at the Amex in September of last year following Graham Potter's departure, but has helped the Seagulls go from strength to strength and even got them dreaming of Europe.
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The agent of the Brighton boss, Edoardo Crnjar, is rumoured to have received signals from the Gunners that they would be interested in the Italian.
Some feel that if Arteta manages to oversee the stunning achievement of winning the Premier League this term and prying the title away from reigning champions City, he could view his time at the Emirates as over after three-and-half years in the hot-seat.
Getting De Zerbi in as a replacement would not exactly be straightforward however, with any interested suitor having to fork out £13million to pry him away from the Amex.
It is important to note that a lot would have to change for these events to unfold and nothing is expected to unfold before the end of the season.
The Gunners have nine leauge games to go, including some particularly tricky trips on the road to the Etihad, Anfield and St. James' Park. All three games could go on to determine whether Arteta is lifting the title come the end of May.
