Arsenal fans may remember Sven Mislintat, the highly regarded German scout who was credited with unearthing gems like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

After a short, tumultuous stint at Ajax, he is now set to return to his former stomping ground – a move that could reshape both clubs’ futures.

Mislintat’s tenure at Dortmund was undeniably successful. As head scout and later director of football, he played a pivotal role in assembling squads that challenged for Bundesliga titles and reached the Champions League final. His reputation for spotting hidden talent and building strong teams preceded him, making his move to Arsenal in 2017 a significant coup for the Gunners.

However, Mislintat’s time at Arsenal wasn’t as smooth sailing. Reported disagreements with manager Arsene Wenger and a perceived lack of control over transfers led to his departure in 2019. A disastrous spell at Ajax followed, marred by accusations of questionable transfer dealings and a lack of support within the organisation.

Now, a return to Dortmund beckons. With Sebastian Kehl, the current sporting director, expected to be promoted to general manager, a vacancy opened up. Mislintat, a Dortmund native with a deep understanding of the club’s culture and philosophy, seems like a natural fit and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is said to want him back ‘at all costs’.

Reports last month suggested preliminary meetings had already taken place, and Mislintat was open to a return. Now, it is being reported that he will become their technical or sporting director and the contract will be signed ‘very shortly’.

This reunion should be mutually beneficial. Dortmund, eager to recapture their past glory, will no doubt want to leverage Mislintat’s expertise to rebuild a competitive squad. Mislintat, on the other hand, will want to rekindle his reputation as a master scout in a familiar environment with the backing of the club he holds dear.

But questions remain. Can Mislintat, tainted by his Ajax experience, regain the trust of Dortmund’s hierarchy? Will his transfer strategy, which some have criticised, mesh with the club’s vision? Only time will tell.

For Arsenal fans, this potential move evokes mixed emotions. While some might see it as nothing to concern themselves with, others might wonder what could have been if Mislintat had been given more freedom at the Emirates. Regardless, his return to Dortmund promises to be an intriguing storyline, with significant ramifications for both clubs.