Arsenal are running the risk of losing boss Mikel Arteta with talks over a new contract being put on ice for the time being.
The Spaniard has made a tremendous impact at the Emirates Stadium and has the Gunners firmly in the mix to lift the Premier League title come the end of the season. Despite that, his future looks slightly uncertain with just two years remaining on his current contract in North London.
As it stands, there are currently no plans to extend that deal. According to The Sun, talks over a new contract have been put on hold to allow Arsenal to focus on the fight to lift the title come the end of the campaign.
Asked if there was any news on a new deal ahead of his side’s showdown with West Ham, the Spaniard replied: “No. The appropriate time is now to focus on winning as many games as we can to achieve what we want.”
Whilst Arteta seems settled for now, the Gunners’ lack of talks over a renewed contract sees them in a vulnerable position. It is suggested that his former club Paris Saint-Germai n are interested in appointing him as a potential successor for Christophe Galtier.
The Frenchman is under pressure at the Parc des Princes following a poor first season at the helm after replacing Mauricio Pochettino. Despite being on track to win yet another Ligue 1 campaign, they suffered early eliminations in both the Champions League and the Coupe de France.
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He has since insisted that he is not concerned over speculation regarding his position. Speaking last month, he said: “I’m not thinking about the future. I’m only focused on winning the championship.
“We need to win the remaining matches and play well. I’m trying to be objective and motivate my players. We can’t give up now. The season is still on, and there are other competitors in the running. I’m not anxious or passive; I’m determined to make sure we become champions."
PSG will certainly have to fork out a fair amount should they wish to tempt Arteta back to the French capital. He only put pen to paper on a new contract less than 12 months ago - a deal that included a significant wage increase.
The Spaniard is now reported to earn approximately £8.3million per year at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta previously spent a season-and-a-half with PSG during the early years of his playing career.
He made 53 appearances for the French giants during a loan move from Barcelona, before he was brought to the UK with a 2002 move to Rangers. Arteta lifted a solitary trophy during his time with PSG as he claimed the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001.
Real Madrid have also been linked with Arteta, who will have no shortage of interested parties given his transformation of the Gunners.
