Report: Roma resigned to losing Arsenal target Monchi

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 February 2019

A report claims that Roma expect sporting director Monchi to leave at the end of the season, with Arsenal the frontrunners to recruit him.

Roma are increasingly resigned to losing sporting director Monchi at the end of the season, according to a report.

The Spaniard is believed to have been made the leading contender to take over in a similar capacity for Arsenal, who saw Sven Mislintat depart earlier this month.

Monchi has built a reputation as being a transfer expert during his time at Sevilla, where he worked with current Gunners boss Unai Emery, and more recently at Roma.

The list of players either discovered or recruited by Monchi at those two clubs include Alberto Moreno, Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic, Justin Kluivert, Cengiz Under and Nicolo Zaniolo.

According to the Evening Standard, the 50-year-old is after a new challenge and the idea of working in England interests him.

Monchi still has more than two years to run on his deal with Roma, though, and Arsenal will therefore have to trigger his £2.6m release clause.