Jorge Sampaoli puts Arsenal and Barcelona on red alert as he delays contract negotiatons with Sevilla

SEVILLA boss Jorge Sampaoli has put Arsenal and Barcelona on red alert after he revealed he has delayed new contract talks.

Sampaoli, 56, has become one of the most sought after managers in the world after taking over at the Spanish club and leading them to third in La Liga.

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And the former Chile boss has given the Gunners and Barca hope in snapping him up after he revealed he would not discuss a new contract until the summer.

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Sampaoli said: "We appreciate that they are trying to renew our contracts but to do that while we are in the present is very difficult.

"We only want to live in the moment.

"The way we work is like this and there are many reasons to appreciate the present.

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"This is the most important game for Sevilla, we want to be one of the best eight teams in Europe and that’s more important than thinking about the future."

Barca are on the hunt for a manager as it is expected under-fire Luis Enrique will leave at the end of the season.

But Arsenal could also try and bring Sampaoli to the Emirates if Arsene Wenger decides to not renew his contract at the club.

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Sevilla are desperate to cling on to the Argentinian by getting him to sign a new contract as his current deal has a £1.35m buy-out clause.

Sampaoli will turn his attention to tonight's Champions League clash against Premier League strugglers Leicester.