Mikel Arteta is planning to raid Manchester City to find his assistant when he is named Arsenal manager.
Spaniard Arteta is on the brink of signing a three-and-a-half year contract at the Gunners - with the north London club hoping to announce Unai Emery's successor after City's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Oxford United.
The Gunners have allowed their former captain to name his own assistant-manager, and it is thought that he will turn to Rodolfo Borrell.
Borrell, 48, has the reputation of nurturing Lionel Messi at Barcelona, having been his first coach at the Nou Camp, along with the likes of Andreas Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
He originally moved to the Premier League to work with Rafa Benitez at Liverpool - where he was handed the title Technical Director and Head of Coaching for Liverpool FC’s Academy, before becoming an assistant coach under Guardiola at City.
If Arteta does indeed chase Borrell it could further anger Guardiola and City - who were left furious after pictures of Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham and contract negotiator Huss Fahmy leaving Arteta’s house in Manchester early on Monday morning.
City felt blindsided by the approach and will demand a seven-figure fee to release him from his contract.
Arteta had been earmarked as Guardiola's successor at the Etihad Stadium - with doubts over the ex-Barca boss' long-term future at the club.
Guardiola has insisted that he doesn't plan to leaving next summer, although City have already eyed up Mauricio Pochettino as a potential successor.
Arteta will travel with City for their clash with Oxford on Wednesday and Guardiola admitted he wasn't sure what the latest was with his assistant when asked on Tuesday.
He said: "When we were so smart to pick him up and other clubs want him. He’s an incredible person. A good manager, good work ethic that’s why he’s with us.
"He’s talking with Arsenal so I don’t know what’s going to happen."
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