Arsenal target Luis Enrique’s staggering £25million wage demands could rule him out of the running to replace Arsene Wenger, according to reports.
The former Barcelona boss, 47, is on the Gunners’ 14-man shortlist, with bookies rating him among the favourites.
But the Daily Mail claims Emirates chiefs want their next boss to earn less than £8.5m-a-year Wenger as they try to cut costs.
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After splashing out on Pierre-Emirick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette this season, the summer transfer budget will be just £50m.
And Enrique’s reported desire to net £15m per year AFTER TAX would take a huge chunk out of the fund.
The Spaniard is also likely to want a large backroom team of his own choosing, which would ramp up the costs.
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Budget restraints mean Arsenal may be forced to look at the younger candidates on their shortlist.
Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira would fit the bill, while Jurgen Klopp’s No 2 Zeljko Buvac is the latest to have been linked with the job.
Arsene Wenger is among the highest paid bosses and Arsenal want to cut costs with his replacementThe Bosnian has a good relationship with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat but is inexperienced and would represent a huge risk.
He could link up with the Gunners in a support role, however, as the club try to develop a more rounded team behind a head coach instead of having a dominant manager.