Pressure from Arsenal fans could drive Arsene Wenger into the hands of Real Madrid or Juventus.

Wenger has already admitted being impressed by "the project" Real presidential hopeful Florentino Perez is planning to put in place once he wins this summer's election, while the sacking of Claudio Ranieri by Juve yesterday has opened the door to the Frenchman moving to Turin in the summer.

Indeed, it's understood that during a board meeting last week, Juve directors discussed Wenger, with many believing he was the only genuine candidate capable of taking Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho head-on.

Meanwhile, The Times says Wenger's uncharacteristic outbreak of itchy feet stems from disillusionment at the attitude of many Arsenal fans, who have booed his players off the pitch on several occasions at the Emirates Stadium this season and been fiercely critical of the team after a fourth season without a trophy.

He is particularly exasperated at the supporters' failure to appreciate the financial constraints under which he must operate, a feeling that reached its height after he was subjected to criticism and aggressive questioning when he attended a meeting of the club's shareholders last Thursday.

Wenger, 59, was deeply upset by such treatment, which left him to reflect on whether his work at the club has been appreciated.