Francis Cagigao has been SACKED by Arsenal as part of cost-cutting measures.

The Daily Mail says Cagigao, who has played key role in club's worldwide recruitment for over a decade, is being offered redundancy.

He famously scouted before recommending Arsenal sign Cesc Fabregas from the Barcelona academy.

The influential scout was also behind the club's move for Gabriel Martinelli last summer - and helped Arsenal sign Hector Bellerin.

Arsenal, it is understood, have also told head of UK scouting Peter Clark and fellow recruitment specialist Brian McDermott that they will lose their positions - though redundancies are still in a consultation period.

The Gunners have moved more towards agent-led recruitment strategies in recent seasons, a likely reason behind the restructuring of their senior scouting set up.