Juventus head coach Max Allegri, who has emerged as one of Arsenal’s key targets to replace Arsene Wenger, has claimed that he wants to spend “another 300 or 400” games in charge of the Serie A champions.

The news will come as a significant blow to Arsenal, who are believed to be in the process of drawing up a list of candidates to succeed Wenger, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Allegri has been linked with the post along with Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Tuchel and Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone.

But speaking ahead of the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari – which will be his 100th game in charge of Juve – Allegri remarked that he sees his long-term future to be in Italy.

“I hope there are another 300 or 400 games as I am happy at Juventus,” Allegri told reporters.

Max Allegri says he wants to stay at Juventus (Getty Images)

“Italian football remains one of the best in the world and recently many young talents have emerged too.

“As for my future, how can I confirm something that doesn’t exist or deny something I never said? I have a contract with Juventus, I am happy, as I’ve always said we have a season to complete and at the right time we’ll sit down with the club to discuss our plans.”

But the 49-year old perhaps offered Arsenal a glimmer of hope when he added:” I always said that if I were to leave, Juve would be the first to know.”

Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Show all 11 1 /11 Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Joachim Löw Age: 58

Current club: German national team

Honours: Austrian Bundesliga, 2001/02

Fifa World Cup, 2014

Fifa Confederations Cup, 2017 Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Mikel Arteta Age: 35

Current club: Manchester City Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Brendan Rodgers Age: 44

Current club: Celtic

Honours: Championship playoffs

Scottish League Cup

Scottish Premiership Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Leonardo Jardim Age: 42

Current club: Monaco

Honours: Segunda Liga

Superleague Greece

Greek Cup

Ligue 1 Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Patrick Vieira Age: 40

Current club: New York City FC

Honours: None Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Diego Simeone Age: 47

Current club: Atletico Madrid

Honours: Argentine Primera Division x2 (Estudiantes de La Plata and River Plate)

La Liga

Copa del Rey

Spanish Supercup

Europa League

Uefa Super Cup Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Domenico Tedesco Age: 32

Current club: Schalke Bongarts/Getty Images Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Massimiliano Allegri Age: 49

Current club: Juventus

Honours: Serie C1 (Sassuolo)

Serie A x3 (AC Milan, 2x Juventus)

Italian Super Cup x 2 (AC Milan, Juventus)

Coppa Italia x 2 (Juventus) Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Thomas Tuchel Age: 44

Current club: Free agent

Honours: DFB-Pokal Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Luis Enrique Age: 47

Current club: Free agent

Honours: La Liga x2 Copa del Rey x3 Supercopa de Espana Champions League Super Cup Club World Cup Getty Arsenal candidates to replace Arsene Wenger Carlo Ancelotti Age: 58

Current club: Free agent Intertoto Cup (Juventus) Serie A (AC Milan) Coppa Italia (Ac Milan) Supercoppa Italiana (AC Milan) Champions League x3 (AC Milan x2, Real Madrid) Super Cup x2 (AC Milan) Club World Cup (AC Milan) Premier League (Chelsea) FA Cup (Chelsea) Ligue 1 (Paris Saint-Germain) Copa del Rey (Real Madrid) Bundesliga (Bayern Munich) DFL Supercup x2 (Bayern Munich) Bongarts/Getty Images

Wenger’s position has come under increasing scrutiny following Arsenal’s recent 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, a result which left them trailing first-place Chelsea by 12 points heading into this weekend’s home match against Hull.

Speculation about Wenger’s future increased when former player Ian Wright revealed on BBC Radio 5Live that the Frenchman had confided in him that his time at the club was “coming to an end”.

“He actually mentioned when he was talking last night that he’s coming to the end,” Wright said. “And I’ve never heard him say that before.”

However, high-level sources later disclosed to The Independent that Wenger has still not made up his mind on whether he will stay at Arsenal next season, with virtually everyone who works with Wenger on an everyday basis still waiting to learn his plans.