Arsene Wenger close to becoming AC Milan manager

Le Professeur could be making his comeback sooner than expected

Arsène Wenger is reportedly close to taking over as manager of Serie A giants AC Milan, and has been in negotiations with the club for several weeks, according to FranceFootball.

Wenger has stepped away from football since leaving Arsenal last season, the club he took to three Premier League Titles and seven domestic cups. He did, however, hint that a return to the game was inevitable, telling SkySports: "I'll be somewhere early next year but I do not know where" soon after leaving the North London club. The Frenchman would replace former Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who has failed to impress thus far as manager of the Rossoneri. He has turned things around recently after three wins on the bounce, but the last two could hardly be called convincing results. Both winners were scored in the final moments by his captain (and centre-back) Alessio Romagnoli, at home to Genoa and away at Udinese respectively. Despite the pressure on Gattuso, Milan remain fourth in Serie A and only four points adrift of Inter and Napoli. Juventus are already 10 points ahead of their famous rivals. FranceFootball indicates that the performances are below the expectations of the team's new majority shareholder, the US investment fund Elliot Management Corporation led by father and son Paul and Gordon Singer, which took over the debts of the previous Chinese owner Li Yonghong. The two men are Arsenal fans and spend a lot of time in London, leading some to believe the move is already a done deal. Wenger, should he join the Milanese side, would also work for the club in a Director of Football role alongside Sporting Director Leonardo.