Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on Joan Laporta’s shortlist to take charge at Barcelona.

The Laliga giant will soon hold presidential elections and Laporta is among the favourites to be voted into power for a second stint.

He has big plans for the club whom he led during their trophy-laden era current Manchester City boss under Pep Guardiola.

Laporta is eyeing Arteta as a replacement for current incumbent Ronald Koeman.

The Dutchman was only appointed in the summer but has overseen an indifferent season with a team in need of an overhaul and was never seen as much more than a stop-gap – even more so after the removal of ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

A new president is set to look to appoint their own man and Catalan radio reports that Laporta – who handed Guardiola his big break at Camp Nou – has Arteta in his sights, amid suggestions that club legend Xavi Hernandez does not want to return this summer.

Arteta is a former La Masia graduate and spent more than three years working as Guardiola’s No.2 at Manchester City where he earned rave reviews.

Taking charge at the Emirates was Arteta’s first go at holding the top job and he has impressed many.

The Gunners were languishing in midtable when he took over midway through the campaign, but he led them to the FA Cup and then the Community Shield.