Arsenal are reportedly set to offer Monchi the chance to become their new technical director.
The Gunners are keen to replace head of recruitment Sven Mislintat as quickly as possible, with the German leaving the club after just 14 months at the Emirates.
Although Mislintat’s imminent departure has upset the fans, the rumoured pursuit of Monchi is evidence of the club’s ambition.
Revered as one of the brightest minds in the game, the Roma sporting director has been courted by some of the best clubs in the world over the past decade.
Having worked with Unai Emery at Sevilla, the Spaniard could fit in perfectly in north London.
But just who is the 50-year-old and what is his back story? Scroll down to get all the info on the reported Arsenal target ahead of his potential move to the Emirates.
Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo (commonly known as Monchi) graduated from Sevilla’s youth system having been born in San Fernando, Cadiz – just a two-hour drive away.
In 1991, the goalkeeper made his La Liga debut in a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. However, he spent much of his senior career playing back-up to Juan Carlos Unzue.
At the age of 30, Monchi retired after playing just 20 games in Sevilla’s promotion-winning season in 1999. In total he played 85 games over nine years, 20 of them coming in his final season.
In 2000, Sevilla appointed Monchi as a team delegate to manage matchday formalities. However, relegation to the Segunda forced the Rojiblancos to force the former shot-stopper into a sporting director role.
His remit was simple; Do not let the team drop back into the second division after promotion and develop the club’s youth system.
In short, extremely. During his tenure in Sevilla, Monchi helped bring through Diego Capel, Alberto Moreno, Jesús Navas, Antonio Puerta, Sergio Ramos and José Antonio Reyes from the youth ranks.
The Arsenal boss was effusive in his praise of Monchi when asked about the possibility of re-uniting with the sporting director at Arsenal.
“Now I can only say he is working in Roma,” said the Gunners’ head coach. “I worked very well with him in Sevilla. My relationship with him is good but the issue is only the club’s responsibility.
“I can only say he is a good person and a good professional.”