Arsenal fans are in a happy mood after AS Roma announced that they have officially parted ways with their sporting director. According to Calciomercato.com’s Francesco Balzani (h/t Sport Witness’ Naveen Ullal), the Gunners are set to pursue Monchi’s services “immediately.”
Monchi’s departure from the Giallorossi follows their UEFA Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Porto on Wednesday.View image on Twitter
AS Roma and Monchi have mutually agreed to bring an early end to their professional relationship.
Monchi: “I would like to thank president Pallotta, the club’s management, staff, players and fans for their support during my time at the club.”
Details http://on.asroma.com/Monchi 9453:48 PM – Mar 8, 2019608 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
The Gunners already have a director of football in Raul Sanllehi, but head of recruitment Sven Mislintat left the club in February after just 14 months on the job. According to Football.London’s James Benge.
Monchi gone. Could be a while before he takes over a Arsenal but they’re confident they’ll get him.1143:53 PM – Mar 8, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy36 people are talking about this
Arsenal feel positive they’ll be able to bring him to the Emirates Stadium at some point. Arsenal boss Unai Emery has an excellent working relationship with his compatriot from his time as Sevilla boss. Working alongside Monchi, Emery delivered three consecutive UEFA Europa League titles during his time at the club. Those three Europa League titles took Sevilla’s trophy haul to 11 during Monchi’s 17-year spell at the club before he joined Roma.
The 50-year-old helped recruit the likes of Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic on a limited budget, and he also helped the club win back-to-back UEFA Cups in 2006 and 2007 as well as the Copa del Rey twice. Arsenal have more resources than Sevilla or Roma, but they can’t invest as heavily as rivals such as Manchester United or Manchester City, either. They’ll need to recruit smartly to make up for that deficit, and Monchi has an excellent track record of doing just that.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Pepe whois considered to be one of the breakthrough stars of Ligue 1 this season; helping Lille challenge at the very top of the division for a place in next season’s Champions League and attracting the interest of elite clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City; with AC Milan also thought to have minor interest in the Ivorian. Speaking to Canal+, Gerard Lopez, Lille coach, said the following about Pepe:
Pepé deserves to compete at the highest levels and we have received several proposals. From China, they put 80 million euros on the plate, but the boy preferred to refuse. We, on the other hand, have rejected 50 million offers from England.”