Arsenal Target Former Barcelona Chief For Director Role – Report

Andoni Zubizarreta is being lined up to fill the vacancy…

Arsenal have reportedly approached Andoni Zubizarreta to fill the technical director role Raul Sanllehi wants in place ahead of the summer transfer window, L’Equipe reports, via GFN.

Zubizarreta, a former Spanish international with 126 caps, joined Marseille in 2016 after being sacked by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The 57-year-old was instrumental in the signings of Cesc Fabregas in 2011 and Luis Suarez in 2014, though a dispute at the Catalan’s club’s hierarchy led to his departure.

He seems to suit the profile we’re looking for given his nationality and experience, with Sanllehi ostensibly looking to add Spanish officials throughout the ranks.

We now know that Monchi was offered the job in recent months, only for the former Roma man to reject our advances and return to Sevilla.

Also, it’s been said that Francis Cagigao will replace Sven Mislintat as our chief scout, and the report above believes that  Zubizarreta is seriously considering a move to north London.

According to L’Equipe, Sanllehi wants to replicate Manchester City’s system of former Barcelona executives who’re able to work together towards a shared goal.

Ferran Soriano and Txiki Bergiristain run the show at the Etihad above manager Pep Guardiola, all of whom worked together at the Camp Nou.

Unai Emery is also said to be in favour of Zubizarreta’s potential arrival.

It was said that the club were in no rush to appoint a technical director and that our summer plans are already in motion, but it seems Sanllehi is keen to get an extra pair of hands in to help with recruitment.