Diego Simeone eyes Premier League job when he leaves Atletico Madrid... and Arsenal are keeping options open

DIEGO SIMEONE

Diego Simeone is tempted by a move to the Premier League as he prepares for life away from Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine boss is considering his next move ahead of his departure from the Vicente Calderon at the end of next season.

And Simeone is understood to be keen on a job in England at the start of the 2018-19 season as he looks to take the next step in his career.

With some of European football's most high-profile managers at the helm in England, Simeone finds the prospect of locking horns with Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp an enticing possibility.

And should the right club present itself, namely one with the capacity to challenge for top honours, Simeone is ready to move to these shores.

The 46-year-old has established a reputation as one of the world's best coaches in Spain, breaking up the Barcelona and Real Madrid's monopoly at the top of La Liga.

Simeone shocked Atletico earlier this season by going public with his intention to leave after next season, declining an option to extend his contract until 2020.

Privately, the former Inter Milan midfielder has been frustrated at the club's inability to compete with Europe's big guns in the transfer market owing to their financial constraints.

Indeed, his frustration grew on Thursday when the club accepted they will not sign any players in January while they fight a FIFA transfer ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The news could interest Arsenal, who are keeping their options open in the event of Arsene Wenger's departure.

The Frenchman's contract expires at the end of the season, though, the expectation is that Wenger will pen an extension early next year.

But if those plans do not come to fruition then Arsenal could manouver themselves into a position to strike for Simeone before the Argentine's expected departure.

Chelsea made a concerted effort to land Simeone before appointing Conte in the summer but the South American opted to stay in Spain.

But sources close to Simeone insist the manager was tempted by a switch to the Premier League and is likely to be again as he weighs up his next challenge.