Arsenal see Patrick Vieira as the long-term successor for manager Arsene Wenger.
The People says Gunners legend Vieira is expected to hold talks with Wenger this week about a free transfer from Inter Milan.
And although the 33-year-old will sign solely as a player, senior club sources indicate Arsenal are keen to give him a key role in the club's coaching set-up after next summer's World Cup finals.
Wenger, 59, is contracted to Arsenal until 2011 and, until now, no likely successor has been identified.