Arsenal are fighting a takeover bid from American Stan Kroenke and manager Arsene Wenger is to be given even more power over football matters and transfers. He is expected to appoint Reading’s Nick Hammond as his new sporting director.
Hammond, 39, has already been interviewed by Wenger at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground and would work alongside chief scout Steve Rowley. Hammond is Reading’s director of football having been youth team goalkeeper at Arsenal before playing at Swindon, Plymouth and Reading.