ARSENAL are set for a transfer overhaul that will see the club swapping scouts for data analysis.
Jason Ayto is the player recruitment co-ordinator and the club is now using analytics more than ever.
Arsenal’s scouting network took the brunt of the job cuts earlier in the season.
Ten senior spies – with decades of loyal service – who found Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Ashley Niles-Maitland and Reiss Nelson, were axed in the summer shortly after youth recruiters got the bullet.
The Gunners sacked former head of youth recruitment Steve Morrow last season as part of an academy re-structure which saw EIGHT STAFF go.
The club is also now moving away from the traditional idea of having scouts worldwide due to the increased use of data.
In the next couple of transfer windows expect a few arrivals that will cost a lot less than £72million Nicolas Pepe but that could be more successful.
The 25-year-old Ivorian joined from Lille in 2019 with huge expectations on his young shoulders after being pursued by a string of top European clubs.
He has produced 19 goals and 15 assists in his 85 appearances but Arsenal fans will be hoping there is a lot more still to come from him.
Arsenal’s future transfer policy will depend as much upon the potential takeover by Spotify founder Daniel Ek as it does on scouts and data experts.
Thierry Henry has revealed he is part of the Swede’s planned £2billion bid and said he wants to bring back the club’s DNA.
But one player who might not be around to witness Henry’s French revolution is David Luiz, who is said to be looking at a move to the MLS.
The Brazilian’s contract runs out at the end of the season and his team have reportedly approached potential clubs about bringing the 34-year-old in.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
