Ivan Gazidis is causing ‘embarrassment’ in Rome and Milan according to a report from Italy about the Arsenal CEO’s delay in making a decision over his future.

The 53-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to AC Milan all summer and his silence around the matter has been deafening.

Although Arsenal’s chairman, Sir Chips Keswick, released a statement about the matter, it fooled no-one who has been paying attention. The Greek-South African is clearly interested in the position, otherwise why not come out and deny it?

Writing on Salvatore Trovato, says [via Google translate], “In London, they demand clarity soon, as well as in via Aldo Rossi, where the deadlines are relevant (we need to plan the strategy with UEFA for financial fair play).

“In the original plan of Elliott, there is also the name of former Umberto Gandini, who, in addition to knowing Milan well, has gained further experience in the years spent in the capital. In Rome too, this impasse creates embarrassment: Gandini cannot remain on standby for long.”

Basically, AC Milan have Umberto Gandini, the chairman of Roma, on standby to take the chief executive role if Gazidis turns it down. Gandini was previously employed by AC Milan as their Technical Director.

Milan are believed to have offered Gazidis a £1m payrise on his current £2.6m Arsenal salary.

In July, Bloomberg detailed that he would start his new role on September 1, however, it is believed he needs to give Arsenal 12-months notice.

While it is unlikely Arsenal would hold him to the full duration of that notice period, they will need to have started looking hard for a replacement if Gazidis is to be allowed to move to Serie A this season.

So who will replace the man charged with replacing everybody else? The only name that has been speculated so far is Josh Kroenke, however, Stan suggested that Gazidis won’t be forced out after their family’s takeover of the club.