Any hopes Arsenal had of hiring Rafael Benitez as their new manager have taken a significant hit. After leaving Newcastle in the summer, Benitez moved to the Chinese Super League and joined Dalian Yifang. The Spaniard signed a bumper £12m-a-year contract with Yifang.
But that has not stopped him being linked with the likes of Arsenal, who are looking for a new manager to replace Emery, who was sacked on Friday.
Mauricio Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti, Massimiliano Allegri and Brendan Rodgers are understood to be high on Arsenal’s list.
However, signing Benitez appears to be out of the question due to the finances involved.
According to the Daily Mail, Benitez has a £20million buyout clause in his contract.
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And it is highly unlikely Arsenal will spend that amount of money to bring him back to the Premier League.
It means cheaper options like Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel Arteta are more probable.
Another option mentioned has been Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who has turned the West Midlands clubs into an established Premier League side.
But West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini feels Nuno should stay at Wolves out of loyalty.
“It’s exactly the same as Brendan Rodgers.
“Both managers are in a good moment and I don’t think they would throw it all out for another option.
“In my way of thinking, I think it’s impossible for me to do it.
“So I don’t think that they will do it.”