Real Madrid presidential hopeful Florentino Perez wants to appoint Arsene Wenger as coach, Sky Sports' Guillem Balague understands.
Perez, who twice tried and failed to bring the Arsenal manager to the Bernabeu during his previous presidency in 2003 and 2006, is believed to have again made the Frenchman his top target should he win the forthcoming elections at the club.
And Wenger refused to dismiss the possibility of a future switch to Spain on Sunday when he admitted that the opportunity to work under Perez would be 'strongly interesting for every coach'.
Respected Spanish football journalist Balague cites sources close to the key parties who have suggested that initial informal contact has already been made by Perez to discover if Wenger would be open to the possibility of taking charge of the Spanish giants.
SpeculationAnd given that the Gunners boss took a different tack to his normally dismissive response to rumours over his future, the speculation has gathered pace.
Some supporters of the North London club have grown frustrated at a perceived lack of success in recent years, with the current campaign being the fourth in succession where silverware has not been secured.
Writing on his personal website, www.guillembalague.com , Balague feels that the former Monaco boss is becoming unsettled at the criticism levelled at his door, with a lack of transfer funds in comparison to their title rivals also a concern.
Wenger has been at the helm of the Gunners since 1996, during which time he has guided the club to three Premier League crowns, four FA Cup wins and the final of the 2006 UEFA Champions League.
a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Arsene Wenger sees out 2009/10 Season as Manager Win Special: Wenger is Manager of Arsenal end of 09/10 Season 5/6Hill-Wood - Wenger will stay
TFC make Cummins interim head coach
