American pops up at Arsenal as player transfer powerbroker

An American has popped up at Arsenal as a chief player dealmaker.

The Independent says the director of football role that has remained unoccupied at Arsenal since the abrupt departure of David Dein two years ago has now unofficially been filled in part by an American who once scouted for the club in South America.

Dick Law, who helped bring Gilberto Silva and Carlos Vela to Arsenal, has become the club's fixer on transfer deals and the re-negotiation of contracts for existing players. That was a key part of the job done by Dein before he was forced out by a boardroom putsch in April 2007 and Arsène Wenger has always been against bringing in a high-profile name to fill the role.

Under new chief executive Ivan Gazidis, Law, with Wenger's blessing, has become a more central figure at the club. He was previously Arsenal's scout in South America and, subsequently North America and helped to establish Wenger's network of scouts there. He is understood to be in London for two weeks per month and players seeking to open talks on new deals are being directed towards him.