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Arsenal consider Francis Cagigao as new head of recruitment after Sven Mislintat exit is confirmed

Arsenal's head of international recruitment Francis Cagigao is among the internal candidates being considered for promotion following confirmation that Sven Mislintat will leave the club on February 8.

Standard Sport revealed in April 2017 that Cagigao was seen as a viable option for a more senior role in now-departed chief exeutive Ivan Gazidis’s club restructuring. Ultimately, he was overlooked for the head of recruitment position in favour of Mislintat, who departs after becoming frustrated at being overlooked in the Gunners’ plans to create a new sporting director role.

Mislintat’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund just over a year ago was seen as a major coup for Arsenal as they sought to add greater football expertise to the club’s infrastructure around former manager Arsene Wenger.

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But after masterminding several deals, including a club-record £56million acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mislintat has not enjoyed the freedom he expected, with head coach Unai Emery having a significant say in transfer targets and head of football Raul Sanllehi wanting to use his extensive network of contacts to influence policy.

There is said to be no falling out between the trio, but Mislintat’s exit means Arsenal must make a fresh appointment, with Cagigao a prominent candidate to become head of recruitment.

Ajax technical director Marc Overmars is thought to be a front-runner for the sporting director position, with another former Gunner, Edu, having distanced himself from the role. Overmars was unavailable for comment when contacted today.

Despite the internal upheaval, Arsenal are pressing ahead with their January transfer plans and received encouragement in their pursuit of Denis Suarez after Barcleona confirmed the arrival of Kevin-Prince Boateng from Sassuolo.

Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin is set to undergo surgery after scans confirmed he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Saturday.

Bellerin will miss the rest of the season and a club statement said: “Further to the injury sustained during our match against Chelsea on Saturday, we can confirm that Hector will undergo surgery in the coming days.”