Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has welcomed interest from Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Lporta.

The Gunners gaffer is claimed to be on the Blaugrana's shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman should Laporta be voted as the club's next president.

Football.London says the 38-year-old has had no contact with Barcelona, with the Spanish side having no interest in hiring him currently.

However they state that the club are admirers of his work, with Arteta welcoming the idea of being in charge at the Nou Camp in the future.

But with his contract at the Emirates not expiring until 2023, the ex-Everton skipper is only thinking of his current job.

And it has been alleged that Arsenal are even planning to extend Arteta's stay at the end of the season should they finish the campaign on a positive note.

The Arsenal board are said to have full faith in Arteta - backing him in his decision to offload a number of players in January as part of his 'cultural overhaul'.