Arsenal are continuing their search for a new academy manager and have identified Pascal De Maesschalck as a leading contender.
Former Gunners defender Per Mertesacker was in the role until the end of last season, leaving after eight years in the position.
The Premier League champions have brought a number of players through the academy into the first team in recent years and intend to continue doing so.
Bukayo Saka is the biggest star of their homegrown talents, while the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman have also impressed.
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The hunt for Mertesacker’s replacement has taken them to Strasbourg’s technical director De Maesschalck.
The Athletic report that talks have been held with the 52-year-old Belgian and he is a leading contender, although the recruitment process continues.
De Maesschalck has been in his position at Strasbourg since 2024, having spent three years as Monaco’s academy manager.
He got the move to Monaco after spending 10 years in the same position at Club Bruges.
His role of technical director at Strasbourg was a step into the running of the senior team, in the BlueCo multi-club structure, run by the Chelsea owners.
Confirming his plan to step down from his academy manager role in January, Mertesacker said: ‘Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision.
‘I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as Head of Academy. Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further.
‘I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club.’
An Arsenal statement read: ‘Per has overseen our men’s Academy since 2018 with a vision to develop distinctive Strong Young Gunners – young players who have gone on to make their mark with our own men’s first team, pursued successful careers at other clubs or followed different paths to fulfil their potential with an excellent grounding and education.
‘Per’s continued focus on ‘better people making better players’ has ensured our Academy instils the values of Arsenal into young players who understand what it means to represent the Gunners.’