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Everton and Crystal Palace are eager to appoint Jason Ayto as their new sporting director with Arsenal keen on keeping the 40-year-old.
According to TBR, Everton and Crystal Palace are vying to appoint Jason Ayto as their newest Sporting director after changes in the background.
The current Arsenal executive is seen as a viable candidate for the important roles at those clubs, although the Gunners are more than convinced to keep the 40-year-old alongside Andrea Berta in a new role.
Many Premier League sides are undergoing changes in the background when it comes to some key executive positions.
Some of the top-flight teams are in the market for a notable sporting director including Everton and Crystal Palace, as current incumbents Kevin Thelwell and Dougie Freedman are set to depart imminently.
Palace have already considered Tim Steidten as an option to replace Freedman, and now they are interested in the idea of appointing Jason Ayto of Arsenal.
The Eagles consider the position extremely important to fill in with the quality of Freedman considered vital to their growth for many years now.
Everton have seen links with some notable names, with West Ham’s Rob Newman seen as a viable candidate. The former head of recruitment at the Hammers is viewed for the Sporting Director’s role, as the Hammers are also keen on Jason Ayto.
Everton have also considered Dan Ashworth as an option, although there are some expected complications in appointing the former Brighton, Newcastle United and Manchester United executive.
Hence, the idea of Ayto might have appealed to those in charge of the Toffees as well as the Eagles, although taking the 40-year-old away from Arsenal will prove challenging.
Arsenal want to keep Jason Ayto
Ayto joined Arsenal as a sout back in 2014 and has steadily climbed up the ladder to his pinnacle of being the interim Sporting Director in the wake of Edu Gaspar’s departure. He also worked very closely with the Brazilian as his assistant and knows the rules of being a sporting director.
Mikel Arteta and many top executives at Arsenal value Ayto rather highly, with owner Josh Kroenke also open to keeping him on board. The report also states new sporting director Andrea Berta is keen to work alongside Ayto, as the club could offer him a new role in the coming period.
However, the final decision might be with the 40-year-old who was close to landing the main job, as he could either stay or make the switch
