Arsenal line up Mikel Arteta replacement as Gunners fear boss could be poached by Real Madrid when season ends

ARSENAL could target Brighton chief Roberto De Zerbi if Real Madrid poach Mikel Arteta this summer.

The table-topping Gunners reportedly fear Real will pursue Arteta as Barcelona romp towards LaLiga glory.

GettyBrighton chief Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be on the radar of Prem rivals Arsenal plus Serie A giants Inter Milan[/caption]

Mikel Arteta’s assault on the Prem title is said to have alerted Real MadridRex

Inter Milan are also said to be keen on Italian De Zerbi.

The ex-Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk manager, 43, has guided the Seagulls to sixth place during his first season in English football.

Turin-based outlet Tuttosport claim De Zerbi is Arsenal’s preferred option should they lose Arteta.

The Spaniard has taken the Gunners eight points clear in the Prem as they chase their first title since 2004, although champions Manchester City have a game in hand.

De Zerbi would be an intriguing choice after such limited experience in England

And many fans might point to Graham Potter’s failure after swapping Brighton for Chelsea.

But the way De Zerbi has seemingly improved the Seagulls since Potter’s exit has attracted many admirers across Europe.

And Inter might well have a vacancy this summer.

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Boss Simone Inzaghi is under pressure after slipping to fourth in Serie A.

But Inter are level at 1-1 going into the home leg of their Italian Cup semi-final with Juventus.

And more importantly they are in the Champions League quarter-finals, meeting Benfica this month.