EXCLUSIVE: Vieira joins Bergkamp on list to replace Brady in youth role at Arsenal



Patrick Vieira is in line for a sensational return to Arsenal after Arsene Wenger sounded him out about the job of replacing Liam Brady as head of youth development.



Former Arsenal skipper Vieira, who won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups under Wenger, has joined fellow Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp on a shortlist of potential candidates for the post of nurturing the next generation of stars.



Vieira is Manchester City's football development executive, a post he has held since 2011.



Tempted? Arsenal hope to bring Patrick Vieira back to the club

However, the 36-year-old is understood to be tempted by a reunion with Wenger and the chance to return to work on the training pitch rather than continue with the largely ambassadorial role he performs at City.



Meanwhile, Arsenal have abandoned their pursuit of Barcelona's David Villa after their approaches were rebuffed in the January transfer window, and are set to make £25million-rated Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic the club's No 1 summer target.



Wenger is convinced Jovetic can become his next Robin van Persie and is prepared to smash the club's transfer record - the £15m paid to sign Andrey Arshavin - to land the Montenegro striker.

Heading the list? Dennis Bergkamp (top) is on the list alongside Vieira for Liam Brady's role

Final destination: Vieira saw out the remainder of his career at Manchester City, where he is now their football development executive



