Exclusive: James Ellis expected to leave Arsenal

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Published on:

10 Apr 2025, 7:15 am

James Ellis is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of this season as part of their recruitment shake-up, sources have told Football Insider.

Andrea Berta arrived as the Gunners' new sporting director at the end of March, replacing Edu Gaspar - who left the club last year.

Ellis, who is head of recruitment at Arsenal, is believed to be among the staff who will not survive as Berta starts his new regime.

The 45-year-old joined as a scout in 2021 and advanced to the more senior role two years later.

He was previously at Fulham, Birmingham and Swedish side Ostersund in recruitment roles and has previously had coaching roles with Kettering, Nuneaton and Loughborough.

Ellis set to go as Berta settles in at Arsenal

Berta will be looking ahead to the summer transfer window with Arsenal still needing key signings in order to beat rivals to the Premier League title.

Reinforcements in attack are likely to be the main focus for talent-spotters at the Emirates Stadium after key injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz this term.

Arsenal are second in the Premier League and trail champions-elect Liverpool by 11 points with seven games to play.

However, the Gunners are 3-0 up on aggregate in their Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid ahead of next week's second leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Nico Williams could be a top target at Arsenal this summer. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Arsenal hit by Williams stumbling block

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Thursday (10 April) that Arsenal are set to find Nico Williams’ wage demands and overall package a problem as they explore a deal.

Williams has been identified as a top target at Arsenal – who are huge admirers of the Spain international – and high-level talks have been held in recent days.

Appearances	161
Minutes Played	10374
Goals	29
Assists	30
Yellow Cards	14
Red Cards	1

Williams’ record for Athletic Bilbao (2021 – present)

Arteta and Berta would love to bring him to the Emirates Stadium but sources say they face a big decision on whether to spend a big portion of their summer budget on the Athletic Bilbao star.

The Spain international won the Copa del Rey and European Championship in the 2023-24 campaign.

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