Raul Sanllehi: Arsenal head of football leaves club

Managing director Vinai Venkatesham will replace Sanllehi, who leaves after 18 months in north London

Arsenal have announced the sudden departure of head of football Raul Sanllehi.

The club confirmed that managing director Vinai Venkatesham will assume Sanllehi’s role amid a period of drastic overhaul within the club’s recruitment department.

In a statement on the club’s website, Sanllehi, who joined Arsenal in February 2018, said: “I’m proud and pleased with the contribution I’ve made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club’s future success. Arsenal is a true footballing institution.

“I am proud to have been part of its history and I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity. Working with Vinai, we have built a top team for the future. Mikel has made an extremely positive impact since his arrival and has formed a strong team with our technical director, Edu.

“The academy is in very safe hands with Per, and Huss Fahmy is a talented and highly-capable leader of our football operations. Personally, I now look forward to taking some time off and spending time with family and friends before setting to work on a new challenge and cheering Arsenal on to great things.”

Raul Sanllehi has left Arsenal (Getty)

Sanllehi oversaw several transfers during his time in charge, most notably with Nicolas Pepe arriving for a £72m club-record fee. Arsenal denied that a formal investigation into the size of transfer fee paid to Lille had taken place following recent reports.

It’s believed that technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta will now lead the club’s recruitment strategy, with Huss Fahmy leading contract negotiations. Venkatesham will continue to manage the club’s business operations.

The overhaul of the club’s recruitment department has also seen a series of senior scouts sacked, including Francis Cagigao, Brian McDermott and Brian Clark.

Owners Stan and Josh Kroenke added: “Raul has made a big contribution during his time with us and will always be part of the Arsenal family. We thank him for all his hard work and expertise and wish him every future success.

“We have no doubt that Vinai is the right person to take the club forward. He has shown outstanding leadership during the current crisis and is held in high regard internally and externally. We know everyone will rally round him so we can move forward successfully.”