Luis Enrique is an early favourite to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal after Friday's announcement.

The Gunners manager announced on Friday morning he would be leaving at the end of this season.

The Daily Mail says Enrique is primed to succeed Wenger as Arsenal's manager.

The Barcelona icon is available to take over at the Emirates Stadium as soon as Wenger departs at the end of the season, having put himself on sabbatical in Spain.

Only an unexpected glitch in negotiations, which are well advanced, can prevent now the appointment of the 47-year-old winner of countless honours as a creative forward with Barcelona and Real Madrid and subsequently as manager of the Catalan giants.

The approach has been made by Arsenal's new director of football relations Raul Sanllehi, who forged a close relationship with Enrique at Barcelona.

The two have dined together at an exclusive London club recently and were in deep discussion.