Arsenal are in the final stages of selecting a new sporting director and will decide who to appoint next month, according to The Athletic,
The club has been actively narrowing down candidates since Edu Gaspar resigned on November 4. His deputy Jason Ayto took over temporarily, spearheading the quiet winter transfer window.
Ayto remains a strong contender for the permanent role. However, he faces competition from Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro.
Intriguingly, there is no mention of Paris Saint-Germain operator Luis Campos. The Portuguese scout has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but it appears he is not on their wishlist.
Each candidate brings a distinct background and expertise, and the Arsenal hierarchy, alongside owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), will carefully evaluate their options.
A recruitment firm initially assisted in assessing and refining the long list before a select group advanced to the interview stages.
Ayto could take the job permanently. He has spent a decade at the club, rising from a scout to assistant sporting director under Edu. The next step for him is getting the job permanently.
Ashworth is an experienced English football executive who has held sporting director roles at Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Arsenal might opt for former Atletico Madrid maestro Berta. He played a crucial role in Atletico’s sustained success by making shrewd transfer decisions.
Olabe’s name has been swirling in the rumour mill for months. He will leave Real Sociedad this summer and has a strong track record in talent development and recruitment.
His tenure has seen Sociedad become a consistent top-six La Liga side, and he has been credited with acquiring and nurturing top talents such as Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth and Takefusa Kubo.
AS Monaco chief executive officer Scuro has experience in football and business aspects. His expertise in multi-club models could be a plus.
