Juventus make statement of intent amid Allegri to Arsenal speculation

Juventus director Beppe Marotta has issued a hands-off warning to Arsenal as speculation mounts that Massimiliano Allegri is set to replace Arsene Wenger this summer.

The long-serving Frenchman has come under unprecedented pressure in recent weeks, following a disastrous run of form which has seen Arsenal crash out of the Champions League and fall a distant 16 points behind title favourites Chelsea.

Wenger’s contract is due to expire at the end of the current season and he has reportedly been given a deadline of the end of the month by the club’s board to decide whether or not he will take up the offer of a two-year contract extension.

Arsenal are already in the process of identifying potential successors and Allegri, who steered Juventus to the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday, has been installed as the bookies’ favourite.

The 49-year-old, himself, has a decision to make in the summer with his own contract winding down, but Marotta claims the club will look to extend the former AC Milan manager’s current deal.

‘We are very happy with Allegri,’ he told Mediaset ahead of last night’s win over Porto.

‘It seems wise for a club and director to continue working with a coach who is not only a good tactician, but also a good professional and a real leader in the locker room, a characteristic that is increasingly important in modern football.’