Former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique, is reportedly stalling Chelsea in the hopes that Arsenal come calling according to an exclusive in the Star on Sunday.

ASSESSED: 7 managers on Arsenal’s shortlist

Chelsea are expected to replace Antonio Conte this summer and Luis Enrique has reportedly been the front-runner for the job for a while, but the uncertainty around Arsene Wenger’s future is throwing a few spanners in the works as many wait for what is quite possibly the rarest position in football – the Arsenal manager’s job

star on sunday back page luis enrique 18 march 2018
Star on Sunday 18 March 2018

Of course, for any new manager to be appointed, Arsene Wenger has to leave and all signs point to him staying for the final year of his contract.

Reports, as they stand at present, claim that the club and manager will sit down at the end of the season to discuss what happens in the next 12 months.

Out of respect for what he has done for the club, the Arsenal hierarchy are said to be happy enough to let Wenger see out his final year and will let him make the decision over whether he wants to stay or go.

That, of course, makes planning for life after Wenger a little trickier.

The Star report that Enrique has not committed himself to Chelsea because Arsenal also want him should Wenger quit.

Arsenal also reportedly want Joachm Low, Julian Nagelsmann, Max Allegri and Antonio Conte. All of those managers have been described as Arsenal’s favourite for the job by various news outlets. We had an in-depth look at the main candidates that you can read here.

Enrique is said to favour Arsenal over Chelsea due to the fact that the latter sack managers too often – an accusation that could never be levelled at Arsenal.

Whether any of this is true or not is impossible to say but while the Star have a poor reputation for reliability, historically, they do have good contacts inside Arsenal.