Football transfer rumours: Arsène Wenger to take PSG role?

People who know Arsène Wenger say that since stepping down as Arsenal overlord, there is a fresh spring in his stride. Although it was not a decision he relished taking, the 68-year-old looks liberated, spry, many years younger. It’s amazing what not being called a plonker on a weekly basis can do for a man. One day the Mill hopes to experience that.

Perhaps, in moments of reflection, Wenger feels that although others thought him to be almost all-powerful at Arsenal, in fact he became institutionalised. And only now is he truly in charge of his destiny. Or, on the other hand, is the competitor in him restless? Does gadding about with no responsibility – attending a charity event here, being feted as a Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption there – leave him hollow? Does he contemplate the international break and think: “Some Premier League heads are going to roll: comeback time is nigh” Or: “Villa have given Brucie the heave-ho, what’s all this claptrap about appointing Thierry or Terry? Let the master show them how its done!”

Well, maybe. But the only appointment that Wenger is being seriously linked with at the moment is at Paris Saint-Germain, where the director of football, Antero Henrique, is under heavy pressure. With last summer’s recruitment criticised even by some PSG players, Henrique’s days at the club are said to be numbered, and some at PSG think it’s Wenger time, at last. While Unai Emery gets applause for winning nine matches in a row against teams such as Qarabag and Fulham, would Wenger accept the challenge of helping to build a Europe-conquering squad at the Spaniard’s former club? Answer A for: “Nah, he’s content as he is”; or B for: “Yes, faster than you can say financial doping.”

Elsewhere in France, another interesting opportunity may be opening up, as Monaco are said to be close to sacking Leonardo Jardim for no longer being able to pretend the club does not keeping selling its best players. There are no plans to ask Wenger to return, apparently. Instead Monaco fancy appointing Thierry Henry, which is why John Terry’s path to Aston Villa seems freer. Zinedine Zidane’s name has got a couple of mentions, too. In relation to Monaco, not Villa.

Word of Jardim’s potential availability, meanwhile, has got clubs across Europe thinking they should make a move for a man who beat PSG to the French title and guided Monaco to the Champions League semi-finals less than two years ago. It may give Manchester United something to ponder as Ed Woodward reportedly holds clear-the-air talks with United’s current Portuguese manager this week. Real Madrid may also take an interest in Jardim, when they oust Julen Lopetegui. But United and, especially, Real are thought to be more likely to appoint Antonio Conte if they change manager. Thing is, if they hire Conte, there’s little chance of them persuading Eden Hazard to come.

Meanwhile, United are said to be keen on Jordi Alba, who’s so good that Barcelona will aim to replace him with Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno, apparently. United are also hot on the trail of the Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, whom José Mourinho will watch in action for Serbia this week.

Spurs will have scouts watching France, for whom Tanguy Ndombele could play. The Lyon midfielder is much admired by Mauricio Pochettino, so Daniel Levy is readying a bid worth €50m plus one Victor Wanyama.

Finally, Jack Butland is being linked with a new agent, which he perhaps hopes is a prelude to him being linked with a new club. If Stoke find themselves needing a new goalkeeper, they’re expected to head to the Premier League’s goalkeeping storage depot at Turf Moof. Either Nick Pope or Tom Heaton would see them right.