Aston Villa have agreed terms with Monchi to become their sporting director, following the departure of chief executive Christian Purslow. Monchi is poised to join from Sevilla, where he previously worked alongside Villa manager Unai Emery.
Purslow left his role as part of a club restructuring after almost five years in charge of day-to-day operations. The 59-year-old declined the opportunity to remain in a different capacity. Villa’s owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, praised his contribution to transforming the club on and off the pitch.
Monchi, who has a reported release clause of about £1.7 million at Sevilla, is expected to work closely with Emery on football business operations. Emery has been given significant freedom to reshape the squad after leading Villa into European competition for the first time in 13 years.
Villa have recently bolstered their off-field team with the appointments of Chris Heck as president of business operations, along with Alberto Benito and Pablo Rodríguez in recruitment roles. On the pitch, the club has already secured the free transfer of Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester City.
Emery is keen to strengthen further, targeting a full-back, winger and striker. Harvey Barnes, Tielemans’ former Leicester teammate, is among those of interest, while Villa are set to offer new contracts to John McGinn and Ollie Watkins.
