Tottenham Hotspur emerging talent manager Chris Perkins is set to take up a similar talent-spotting role at Arsenal, according to a report.

Jack Wilshere coaching the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Jack Wilshere coaching the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Football.London report that after leaving Tottenham Hotspur last month, a number of clubs showed an interest in Chris Perkins.

Perkins had been working as Spurs’ emerging talent manager, after initially making his name as head of academy recruitment at Derby County, before moving onto Everton in 2020 and then Spurs.

But Perkins is reportedly now set to join Arsenal, taking up a similar position to the one he held at the Gunners’ north London rivals.

Football.London highlight Perkins’ role in bringing Will Lankshear to Spurs from Sheffield United, as an example of his work with them.

Ironically, Lankshear was previously an Arsenal academy player, though he joined Spurs via Sheffield United. The 17-year-old striker came on as a substitute for Spurs against the Gunners in their u21 match on Friday.

It looks as though Perkins is now going in the opposite direction.

Will Lankshear with Sheffield United (Photo via Sheffield United on Twitter)
Will Lankshear with Sheffield United (Photo via Sheffield United on Twitter)

Arsenal put a lot of emphasis on their academy, and on bringing top players through to the first team.

If they feel that Perkins will help them continue to identify and recruit exciting talent, then nicking him off Spurs is an easy decision.