Arsenal are considering a move to bring former player Marc Overmars back to the club as technical director.
The North London side are looking to appoint a Technicalย Director as they continue their rebuild under Unai Emery, and had targeted transfer-specialist Monchi after he left Italian side Roma last month.
Monchi worked with Emery during the duo’s time together at Sevilla, and had been Arsenal’s top target, but the 50-year-old has decided to return to Seville.
Arsenal had hoped to appoint Monchi, who was responsible for a series of successful signings in Spain including the likes of Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic and Ever Banega, as they restructure at board level.
According to theย Telegraphย Arsenal will now turn their attentions to their former winger Overmars, with the 45-year-old currently working as Technical Director at Dutch side Ajax.
Overmars, who spent three years as a player at Arsenal between 1997-2000, is believed to be keen to leave Ajax for London after seven years at the club.
The Dutchman has emerged as the leading contender for the role and will hope to replicate his success in Amsterdam having helped build a squad which has reached the Champions League quarter-finals this season.