Arsenal have ‘made contact’ with Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde as they search for Arsene Wenger replacement

ARSENAL are said to have made contact with Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde about replacing Arsene Wenger.

Valverde, 53, has been contacted by an intermediary acting for the Gunners, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

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The Spanish boss’s contract at the La Liga club expires at the end of the season.

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However, Arsenal will face competition from Spanish giants Barcelona, who are looking at Valverde as a potential successor for Luis Enrique.

The Gunners will be buoyed by the fact Valverde has long been an admirer of the Premier League and hopes to manage  a top flight English side one day, Marca reports.

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The report also claims the Spaniard would happily take over at the Emirates, even if Arsenal miss out on a Champions League spot.

Valverde has plenty of top European experience, having previously managed Valencia, Olympiacos and Villarreal amongst others.

The one-cap Spain international also played for Barcelona between 1988 and 1990.

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Despite all the rumours coming out of Bilbao, the current talks are seen as nothing other than an exploratory mission for the Londoners.

At this stage, Wenger is set to anger a host of fans by staying on for at least one more year.