Next Arsenal manager? Ernesto Valverde 'contacted by Gunners' as Arsene Wenger's future hangs in the balance

The Athletic Club boss is also a candidate to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona

Valverde is an in-demand coach right now (Getty)

With Arsene Wenger's future in the balance, it appears that Arsenal are weighing up the pros and cons of possible replacements for the Emirates dugout.

Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has been contacted by an intermediary acting for Arsenal, according to Marca, with the 53-year-old's contract in Bilbao expiring at the end of the season.

Valverde, who is also being considered as a replacement for Luis Enrique at Barcelona, has reportedly long held an interest in managing in England.

The idea of moving to Arsenal would be enticing for the Spaniard even if they missed out on the Champions League, claims the report.

While the former Olympiakos and Valencia boss would represent a cheap, attainable option for the Gunners if they were suddenly having second thoughts about Wenger staying on, the chances are that this is nothing more than an exploratory mission from the north London club to see who would be willing to take over the hot seat in a worst-case scenario.

Similarly, news of this nature leaking out only helps Valverde, who fears that Luis Enrique's current assistant, Juan Carlos Unzué, could pip him to his dream job at the Nou Camp.