'Everyone is desperate to work for Barcelona and Real Madrid' - Mikel Arteta update emerges

Mikel Arteta is being eyed by Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the Arsenal boss will sign a new deal in North London.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Spaniard leaving would be an "unnecessary risk" right now.

Arteta's current deal at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire next summer, but there is a growing expectation that he signs across the dotted line on a new contract very soon.

Recent reports suggest that this could be announced as soon as the September international break in just over a week.

Still, there have been whispers of a potential stalling in a new deal, especially with Barcelona and Real Madrid both being backed to target the talented manager.

With just one Premier League title, one FA Cup trophy and three Community Shields, though, Arteta is expected to stay and fight for more.

Mikel Arteta would be taking 'hugely risky' decision by leaving Arsenal

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson doesn't expect Arteta to leave anytime soon, but that a move to La Liga is in his future.

"The whole football world seems to be desperate to play for or work for Real Madrid and Barcelona," he said.

"Now clearly, Arteta must be on both clubs' lists at some point. But he's not going to leave now. It would be a hugely risky thing for him to do and an unnecessary risk.

"And he's got quite a lot to do still. They've won one title, but he'll want to leave a legacy of having won a bunch of trophies, you would think, before leaving.

"He's young enough. So I don't think there's any prospects at all of a departure now. But I do think, in the fullness of time, he'll probably end up working for Barcelona or Real Madrid at some point."

Why Arsenal boss needs to be punished by Pro Ref

While Arteta is a much-loved figure at the Emirates Stadium, he splits opinion across the Premier League when it comes to rival fans.

This has been exacerbated already in the 2026-27 campaign, with footage of him coming out of technical area during Arsenal's win over Chelsea.

Speaking to Football Insider, Keith Hackett has urged Pro Ref to take action and sanction the manager for stepping out of his allowed area.

But he continues to get away with breaches of the rules, sometimes right in front of the fourth official, with very little punishment coming his way.