Arsenal are in search for Unai Emery’s replacement and there has been some interesting developments lately as the club have place Bordeaux’s Paulo Sousa on their shortlist of targets and have undergone initial talks with the Portuguese,
L’Equipe confirmed the rumours as quotes from Sousa’s entourage explained that €2-3m release clause in his contract with Les Girondins, which would help him break free if any intrested employers came calling with a cheque nearing that value.
Speaking to L’Equipe [translated by Get France Football News], Sousa’s entourage said:
“They like his profile, not just as a coach but also as a person. This does not mean that he will leave. They are in talks with multiple candidates but Paulo is part of that list, certainly. Between the two, it could work.
“With all the problems currently ongoing at Bordeaux, why wouldn’t he leave? The project is not what was promised to him, that is a fact. He loves the fans but he needs more from the board, the team is not strong enough to finish in the top 6.”
Although the Gunners have expressed their interest – RMC Sport claim the North-London based side ‘have never contacted’ Bordeaux and the former Leicester boss ‘has absolutely not spoken to the board’ about a potential move to the Emirates. Although they do have further confirmed about the cheap release clause Sousa has in his contract though Bordeaux are ‘not worried at all’ about the rumours.
Although on he positive side, Bordeaux confirmed that they need to clarify some aspects of Sousa’s contract as ‘the current project isn’t the one offered to him’ when he interviewed for the job.
Could a failure to meet common ground with Bordeaux’s hierarchy could trigger his exit and a potent move to Arsenal.
