Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of ex-Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehi as their new head of football relations.
Sanllehi has spent the last 14 years at the Catalan giants, leaving his post on Monday before being announced as Arsenal’s newest member of staff on Tuesday.
Spaniard Sanllehi, 48, has overseen the transfer of several world-class players to the Nou Camp, including Luis Suarez and Neymar.
He will work alongside new chief scout Sven Mislintat and lead future player negotiations, as the Gunners attempt to revamp their recruitment policy.
However, Sanllehi will not begin his work at the club until February, which means he will not be involved in any business conducted by the club in the upcoming winter window.
A statement on the club’s official website said: “Raul has been at Barcelona for the past 14 years. He will join us in February to lead future player negotiations and work alongside manager Arsène Wenger, chief executive Ivan Gazidis and contract negotiator Huss Fahmy. He will also represent and support the club with international and domestic governing bodies.”
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who is spearheading the Gunners’ recruitment revamp, said: “Raul’s appointment is another important step in developing the infrastructure we need at the club to take everything we do to the next level. Raul has extensive contacts across the football world and has been directly involved in some of the biggest transfers in Europe in recent years.
“We look forward to him bringing that expertise to Arsenal.”
OPINION
The appointment of Sanllehi is a statement of intent from Arsenal, and also a stamp of authority from Gazidis upon the club. The Gunners have needed a reshuffle of this kind for years now and the recruitment of both Sanllehi and Mislintat is a big step forward. Gazidis promised a revamp a while ago but Arsenal fans were seemingly resigned to it never happening, but the executive has delivered on his promise, and delivered in style. It is a shame that Sanllehi will not be involved in the January window, but Arsenal fans can be sure of an exciting summer as the Spaniard gets to work alongside Mislintat.