Arsenal are the favourites to appoint highly rated Monchi as their new director of football.
Monchi – real name Ramón Rodriguez Verdejo – is current the sporting director at Roma, but is being widely linked with a move away from Italy, with Arsenal, who are looking for a replacement for recently departed Head of Recruitment, Sven Mislintat, said to be in prime position to land the 50-year old Spaniard.
He is under contract with Roma until 2017 and has a release clause in his contract of £2.6 million according to The Evening Standard, which separate reports indicate Arsenal are prepared to meet.
Monchi previously worked with Unai Emery at Sevilla, and is said to be keen for a chance to be united again and to work in England.
The Gunners want somebody in place as soon as possible as they plan for a busy summer in the transfer window, with a number of players expected to be shifted out at The Emirates to make way for new arrivals.
