Arsenal's Arteta 'holds PSG talks' as they hunt for new boss

 Twenty years after leaving the French capital for British shores, Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta is being lined up for a sensational return to Paris Saint-Germain as manager

Arsenal's success last season has seen Mikel Arteta attract attention from Paris Saint-Germain, who are once again in the market for a manager.

Arteta, 41, came within inches of breaking Manchester City's grip on the Premier League crown before the Gunners suffered a mighty collapse in the campaign's closing stages. Christophe Galtier went one better by winning Ligue 1 at the Parc des Princes but was still fired at the end of a disappointing season.

And RMC Sport reported PSG advisor Luis Campos has already held talks with Arteta in the hope of luring the tactician back to France. Former Barcelona and Rangers midfielder Arteta spent the 2001/02 season on loan in Paris from the Camp Nou in the early stages of his career before finding his way to Britain.

However, PSG puppeteer Campos is described as being 'pessimistic' about his chances of successfully recruiting Arteta. The Spaniard is contracted at the Emirates Stadium until 2025 having signed a new deal just last year.

And the Gunners hierarchy will undoubtedly be eager to agree an extension after their former playmaker performed way above expectations last term. A runner-up finish was Arsenal's best Premier League result in seven years, the same length of time the club had been absent from the Champions League.

Julian Nagelsmann was highly touted to take the reins at the Parc des Princes following his unceremonious exit from Bayern Munich earlier in 2023. However, it's understood both parties decided to nix that move and reignite PSG's search for a new boss.

Italian manager Luciano Spalletti is available once again after stepping down from Napoli's helm in the wake of their Serie A triumph. Zinedine Zidane, Antonio Conte and Luis Enrique are also without teams at present, but it's reported Arteta is Campos' favourite to take over in Paris.

Arteta has lived in England since he first joined Everton in 2005, eventually moving to Arsenal in 2011 and spending the last five years of his playing career at the Emirates. He then went straight into management as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at City before earning his first senior role with the Gunners in 2019.

His progress since then has been rapid, with the Arsenal faithful fully buying into Arteta as the man to restore their pride among England's elite.

Campos has long been considered a recruitment guru in France's upper echelons, helping bring Monaco back into the top tier before his transfer nous aided Lille in their rise to become title-winners. His impact has been slower to take effect at PSG, however, struggling to move the club onto the next stage of their development despite boasting huge resources.

Attaining European success is believed to remain the key goal for the Qatari-owned club, one area in which Arteta has fairly limited experience as a manager. His contract commitment in north London alleviates any need for immediate panic, though the attention of one of the world's most powerful clubs could present a threat.