Arsenal news: Bayern Munich want Sven Mislintat after breakdown in relationship behind the scenes at the Emirates
The relationship between Mislintat and the new regime - headed by Director of Football Raul Sanllehi - has not gone as smoothly as anticipated with the German champions now looking to capitalise
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Your support makes all the difference.Bayern Munich want to bring Arsenal’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat back to Germany and feel they can complete a deal before the end of the season, amid backroom uncertainty at the Premier League club.
The 46-year-old is credited with having created one of the most sophisticated talent-spotting operations in world football at Borussia Dortmund, and was part of a grand plan to do something similar at Arsenal when appointed as head of recruitment little over one year ago.
However sources close to both Bayern Munich and the Arsenal set-up say that the relationship between Mislintat and the new regime — headed by director of football Raul Sanllehi — has not gone as smoothly as anticipated.
Mislintat has put forward some strong recommendations for players that have not been followed up.
That comes at a time when head coach Unai Emery is said to have taken a more active role regarding transfer targets than the German had anticipated, especially in a structure that was designed to dilute the influence of any head coach in that regard, after the all-encompassing power of Arsene Wenger.
Sanllehi also has a large role in all transfer dealings and works closely alongside Emery, who last week freely admitted that there was no money available for permanent transfers this window.
Arsenal are instead working on a loan deal for Spanish winger Denis Suarez, a player who previously worked with Emery at Sevilla and now plays for Barcelona, who previously employed Sanllehi.
Should Mislintat leave, then Arsenal would have lost former manager Arsene Wenger, former chief executive Ivan Gazidis and the German in under a year.
Arsenal are also pressing ahead with their attempts to recruit a new sporting director, with responsibilities including the club’s style of play, coaching and academy intake, leaving the exact nature of Mislintat’s position shrouded in confusion.
The Independent understands that contact has been made between Arsenal and former player Edu over the new position.
Amid such backroom discontent, Bayern Munich are increasingly confident Mislintat is already open to leaving Arsenal. The Bavarian club are beginning a badly-needed overhaul of their ageing squad, with Mislintat seen as the figure who can help build them a new team.
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