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BRENDAN RODGERS has opened the door to Arsenal.
The Leicester City manager has admitted there is a clause in his contract which allows him to leave if a big offer comes in.
Freddie Ljungberg is in temporary charge of the Gunners, who drew 2-2 against Norwich in his first match.
Follow ALL of the latest Gunners news, updates and transfer gossip below…
ARSENAL will finalise their managerial shortlist by next week as they choose from a dozen candidates including interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
And they hope to confirm a permanent appointment by the end of this month – even if it means waiting until the summer to get their man.
Sunsport understands that Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta is the preferred option after narrowly losing out to Emery 18 months ago.
Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pochettino are the other leading names in the frame while Max Allegri is also under consideration.
There are currently as many as 12 names under consideration to replace Unai Emery in the Emirates hot-seat.
But that list is being whittled down by the club’s four-man selection panel which is being headed by technical director Edu and also comprises Raul Sanllehi, Vinai Venketesham and Huss Fahmy.
The Arsenal head-hunters are under pressure to make a decision in weeks rather than months to end the uncertainty currently surrounding the club.
Read more <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10469516/arsenal-could-wait-a-month-to-appoint-new-boss-with-arteta-top-candidate-to-replace-axed-emery/comments“>HERE.
WEST HAM are close to signing ex-Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom having failed to land him in the summer, according to reports.
The Hammers ended an eight game winless run with a surprise 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday but the East Londoners are still keen to add some firepower up front.
The Irons splashed out a club record £45million for Sebastien Haller in the summer, and although the Frenchman started life well with four goals from his first seven Prem appearances, he has drawn a blank in his last six.
Albian Ajeti was also brought in from Basel but has made next to no impact on the few occasions he has been involved.
And as a result, West Ham have enquired about Akpom, 24, who has fallen out of favour at PAOK Salonika, according to the Athletic.
Akpom joined the Gunners age 6 and – aside from several loan spells – stayed with the club until his Greek move in 2018.
Despite leading the line for PAOK last season – who remained unbeaten in all domestic matches – he has started just three league games so far this campaign which has given the Hammers hope.
Akpom is reportedly not interested in a new deal and was tempted to move in the summer.
BRENDAN RODGERS gave a broad smile when he was asked once again about his commitment to Leicester.
Because he knows his move south of the border from Celtic could hardly be going better at the moment.
He said: “I’ll probably get asked again until they appoint someone, but it’s very simple – I’m very happy here. I made a choice nine months ago to come here for a purpose.
“That was very clear in that I wanted to help this club move forward out of where it was when I came in, and looking to lead it forward with a group I feel has huge potential. Why would I want to move from that?
“OK, I moved after nearly three years at Celtic and people may look at me thinking: ‘Right, because a club like Arsenal, with the great institution and size, and all of that’. But it’s all about happiness and I couldn’t be happier here.
“And I think logic would tell you – and I know that sometimes in your world it’s not always logical this gossip and speculation – but why would I want to leave Leicester City at this moment in time?
“People may look at me thinking: ‘Right, because a club like Arsenal, with the great institution and size, and all of that’… but it’s all about happiness.
“My contract is until 2022 and the club haven’t said they want to release me from that. Take from that what you want.
“I gave an honest answer, which was based around probably most managers having something in their contracts, and, by all accounts, that opened the door for something.
“There’s a lot for us to grow and develop over these next few seasons. We’re moving to a new training facility.”
He may have made his name with Spurs among others, but Gary Lineker still knows a thing or two about scoring.
High praise indeed and, as ever, a cheeky dig at famous Arsenal fan Piers Morgan.
Whoever takes charge of the Gunners on a permanent basis will have some task on their hands, with the club in need of a number of signings to compete at the top again.
There is certainly a core of quality players to pick from, but could the Gunners be in danger of losing any of their star men.
Here's the contract situation for those players currently plying their trade at the Emirates.
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