Arsenal are reportedly considering Roberto Mancini as the next manager of Arsenal, should Arsene Wenger depart this summer, according to Calcio Mercato.
Wenger is out of contract this summer and has yet to confirm his plans for next season yet although he has reiterated when asked recently that the Gunners remain his priority.
Mancini is out of work after leaving Inter by mutual agreement back in August after two years at San Siro.
The Italian has also been linked with the vacant England manager’s job, particularly after he was spotted at Wembley on Saturday watching England’s 2-0 win over Malta.
The report claims Arsenal would love to employ Mancini who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his time with Manchester City. The 51-year-old also won the Serie A title three times in his first stint with Inter.
However, Mancini is apparently a man in demand and it is believed he has already received offers from China and could join the likes of Luiz Felipe Scolari and Sven-Göran Eriksson in the Chinese Super League.
Mancini possesses a strong managerial track record having won the league in England and Italy, and will always be remembered by City as the man who brought the title to the club after a 44-year wait with a dramatic last-day win over QPR.
Only the second Italian to win the Premier League, after Carlo Ancelotti, he was also the man who brought Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri to the club.
The Italian was sacked by City two days after defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup final and just a year after ending City’s 44-year wait for a title with the club ending the season empty-handed.
Mancini’s management style has often been described as “abrasive” and less than impressive showings in the Champions League with City, may count against him should Wenger leave and he find himself in contention.