Arsenal are set to complete a deal to bring Granada sporting director Javier Alonso, with Alonso handing in his resignation at his current club.
Mario Cortegana and James McNicholas report for The Athletic that Arsenal are set to complete a deal to appoint Javier Alonso of Granada to Andrea Berta’s transfer team.
The report adds that Alonso handed in his resignation on Tuesday, so he’s now set to move to Arsenal, with the expectation that he’ll begin working with the Gunners next week.
Alonso will help out with the scouting department alongside Maurizio Micheli, who joined the club earlier this year.
Matteo Moretto had broken the news last week that Alonso would leave Spanish Segunda Division club Granada CF to link up with Berta at Arsenal, having spent two-and-a-half years with his current club.
Alonso was previously the head of scouting at Atletico Madrid, where he would have worked alongside Berta.
The 42-year-old also spent time in youth coaching with Sporting de Gijon and worked as a scout for Sassuolo before his five years with Atletico.
With James Ellis leaving his role as technical director earlier this year, it was somewhat inevitable there would be changes this summer.
Arsenal are also making alterations in the academy setup, with Per Mertesacker leaving the club to be replaced by Pascal De Maesschalck, per the latest reports.
That’s all in addition to the changes in the medical and fitness team, with Real Betis’ Eneko Angulo reportedly set to join Aston Villa’s Arnaldo Abrantes at Arsenal, filling the unexpected gap left by the departures of Zafar Iqbal, Sam Wilson, and Tom Allen.
- Chelsea interest clarified as Arsenal ready £70m bidArsenal’s imminent £70m offer for Bruno Guimaraes is unlikely to be accepted, and Chelsea won’t be joining the race for the midfielder, according to reports.
- Financial details of Arsenal’s new Emirates deal emergeDetails of Arsenal’s reported new sponsorship deal with Emirates have begun to emerge, with the fresh contract set to last to 2032.
- 2 key Arsenal staff additions confirmed by training photosArsenal’s return to pre-season training has effectively confirmed the addition of Eneko Angulo and Arnaldo Abrantes to the club’s medical and fitness staff, with both in attendance this week.
- Arsenal 26yo prefers transfer abroadArsenal’s Reiss Nelson is open to a move abroad this summer, and Benfica and Valencia are among the clubs interested in picking him up.
- 3 replacements on Arsenal shortlist after Saliba injury newsArsenal are stepping up their pursuit of a centre-back in the wake of William Saliba’s injury update, with Ezri Konsa, Jacobo Ramon, and John Stones among their targets.