Gunner go for Emery

> Departing PSG coach favourite to replace Wenger at The Emirates

UNAI EMERY has emerged as the clear favourite to replace Arsene Wenger who waved goodbye to Arsenal yesterday. The Gunners will move for the departing Paris Saint-Germain coach Emery after both Luis Enrique and Max Allergi expressed reservations about the Gunners’ two tier management structure.

A major obstacle however is thought to be that the Spaniard wants around £8.5 million (RM47m) a year to move to the capital when he leaves PSG.

Arsenal will surely be reluctant to part with such a figure after a large outlay in January.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purchased and German international Mesut Ozil was also handed a bumper new contract to add to the wage bill.

Emery joined PSG from Sevilla two years ago but has not been a success at a club that now expects to win every competition they are involved in.

The 46-year-old could only finish second behind Monaco in his first season in charge and has been playing catch up ever since.

Although the Ligue 1 title was secured this time around together with the French Cup, his ultimate failings have come in Europe.

PSG failed to make an impact in the Champions League after suffering painful exits at the last-16 stage to Spanish opposition in both seasons.

Last year the club were embarrassed by Barcelona who came back from a 4-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris to win the tie 6-5 on aggregate.

And after leading in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, the Parisians ended up losing both legs to once again fall short this season.

Emery arrived at PSG with a strong reputation after guiding Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League wins and also performed well with limited resources at Valencia.

But ultimately the Spaniard has been unable to deliver the one big prize that the Qatari owners crave.

Wenger himself has previously supported Emery after increased media speculation grew about his tenure at PSG.

“Watching from outside Unai Emery for me is a very competent person and if PSG want to move forward that they need a project based on stability,” said Wenger.

“So I’m not like you thinking Unai Emery should go. People are always very quick to make rapid decisions. Once they’re in charge it changes a little bit.”

Emery is also fancied by West Ham United who are yet to confirm that David Moyes will still be at the London Stadium come the start of next season. – Express Newspapers I think his manager (agent) is going to speak with the club and they’re going to decide.”

Reports from Scotland have suggested Celtic are interested in signing Hart although, with the player only having one season left under contract and with his stock having fallen this season, City’s hopes of demanding a sizeable fee look slim.

One City player certain to be named in Southgate’s squad is right-back Kyle Walker, one of the stand-out performers in Guardiola’s title-winning squad.

The 27-year-old has been vindicated in his decision to leave Tottenham last summer, having won the first major silverware of his career with City, although the demanding Guardiola says Walker still has room for considerable improvement next season.

“We are, all of us, so satisfied with his level,” said Guardiola. “We spoke with him many times.

“It’s similar to when we speak with Raz (Raheem Sterling) and Leroy (Sane). He still has a big gap to improve – his style, his way to play, his focus in the game.

“Hopefully we can help him have a target for the next season and try to help him to be a better player next season.” – AFP