The Arsenal coach will not sign for the Catalan club in the short or medium term
Barcelona’s transfer market considers Mikel Arteta to be lost, after the Spanish coach struck a deal to extend his contract with Arsenal. The deal is closed and is only awaiting official formalisation – meaning his continuation in London makes any future operation with the Blaugrana club distant.
Mikel Arteta is already the 3rd highest paid football manager in the world
Barcelona loses an opportunity with Mikel Arteta
The situation of Mikel Arteta, 44, was resolved this week after several months of negotiations with Arsenal. His previous contract was supposed to expire at the end of the current season, but negotiations progressed through the summer until an agreement was reached.
Fabrizio Romano reported that not only Arteta will extend his contract, but also his entire coaching staff. The deal is ready to be officially signed, thus closing a period of uncertainty over the coach’s future at the Emirates.
The context also explains Arsenal’s move. Arteta led the club to win the 2025/26 Premier League, thus ending a 22-year wait for the English championship. His continuation became a priority for the club after that title.
Before the deal was made, Arteta had already made his position clear. In August 2026, he stated that he wanted to stay at Arsenal and that both parties would eventually resolve the contract situation.
Arsenal tie up Arteta and close a path for Barcelona
The new contract changes the scenario for Barcelona, who can no longer consider Arteta as an available short-term option. The coach will remain linked to Arsenal through a new deal, the exact duration of which has not yet been officially communicated.
In addition, Barcelona’s coaching situation has a concrete contract reference. Hansi Flick extended his contract with Barcelona until June 30, 2028, with an optional extra season, in May 2026.
This deal adds continuity to Flick’s project, while Arteta remains tied to Arsenal. The German coach has started the season with Barcelona as the league leader in LaLiga after seven rounds, with 21 points.
Arsenal, on the other hand, go into the international break with 12 points from five Premier League rounds, following a 3-0 defeat to Brighton on September 19. Arteta had secured four wins in a row before that loss.
The next steps will be the signing and the official announcement of the extension. For Barcelona, Arteta’s deal with Arsenal removes this coaching market’s opportunity, while the focus in London is to complete the continuity of the coach and his team.
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