Sources: Mikel Arteta in line to become Premier League top earner as Arsenal ready contract talks
Arsenal could have to make Mikel Arteta the Premier League's highest-paid manager to finalise a new contract, sources have told Football Insider.
The Gunners are set to open extension talks with the 44-year-old, with his current deal set to expire next summer.
A host of Premier League and European giants would be interested in the Spaniard's services if he were to depart.
But sources say there is confidence at Arsenal that the man who steered the club to their first league title in 22 years will sign an extension.
A new deal will involve improved terms for Arteta, and will catapult him into the top bracket of manager earners in the Premier League, a place previously occupied by grandees such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
Arteta finally led Arsenal to title glory last season following a number of near-misses to cement his status as one of the most in-demand managers in world football.
The next target for the north London club appear to be establishing a dynasty as well as winning their first Champions League title, after his team came just two penalty kicks away from winning it in May.
Arteta has hoped for a big transfer window, and Arsenal's strong interest in the Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior demonstrates the level of the club's ambition.
How Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal
When Arteta was appointed in 2019, he returned to a team rudderless and lacking leadership.
Ageing players, like David Luiz and Mesut Ozil, were on large wages and were not contributing as much as the likes of the teenagers, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
It took time, but within three years, Arteta had a team full of exciting players still far from their prime. The 2022-23 season saw the first taste of a transformed Arsenal, but they were not quite ready.
More additions saw a greater fight in the following season, while the 2024-25 campaign saw a first deep run in the Champions League.
Last season saw almost all of it finally put together. Premier League champions and Champions League finalists. Arteta will not be satisfied just yet, however.
What has Arteta said about his Arsenal future?
Arteta was asked about his contract situation in April, but downplayed word of ongoing talks amid the Premier League title race.
Following the departure of his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, the Spaniard is now the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, and among the same list in Europe's top five leagues.
The Arsenal manager was brought to the club under Arsene Wenger, who spent nearly 22 years in charge in North London. It seems doubtful that Arteta will replicate that longevity, but he appears here to stay for now.
"I'm fully committed here. I'm really happy and I feel good. My family's good. I still have so much ambition and things to do at this club. For now, we are in a good place," he said in April.