Ajax are blocking Arsenal's bid to install Marc Overmars as their technical director.
And the Amsterdam giants are using the £200million cash reserves built up by the Dutchman to ensure he honours the remaining 18 months of his contract.
Sunday Mirror Sport revealed last month that the Gunners wanted to bring their former winger back to the club after deciding to part with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
Arsenal want Overmars to come in immediately.
But Ajax have told the London club that they have no intention of releasing Overmars from his contract - and will not accept any offer of compensation from the Emirates.
Ajax do not need the money after selling a host of top players that Overmars brought in.
Overmars is interested in returning to north London and wants to hear what Arsenal have to offer after becoming frustrated by Ajax's lack of success on the pitch.
But he is regarded as an Ajax legend and is unlikely to walk away from his contract.
As revealed by Mirror Football, second-choice Monchi has been offered a real by the Gunners as they look to overhaul their recruitment model.
Monchi worked successfully with Gunners boss Unai Emery at Valencia and has a clause in his Roma contract that enables him to quit the Italian club in the summer.
Overmars, 45, has developed a big reputation for signing talents like Virgil van Dijk, Christian Eriksen, Davinson Sanchez and Frenkie De Jong.
But Ajax have not won a trophy for five years after allowing players to leave for big-money fees.
Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar is trying to persuade Overmars to sign a contract extension.
posdinptz
1
You'll always be welcome
planning
1
He has everything to prove at Ajax. Since we have built a great team the teams from England withbnothing but money will rob Ajax from a least 4 or 5 players, so we have to start all over building a great team. Again.
initiative
0
I think he will definitely join when Ajax doesn't become champions
useless
1
We want Monchi!!
ourselvef
0
With the talent that Ajax have coming through, you can't see this as being a bad appointment!
Kalandari
0
He should! So he can take de Ligt with him
collection
0
Swap for swap it is then
Martabeed
1
Give us De Ligt then.
estimated
2
Really dislike this regardless of his quality. I thought Ajax wouldnt buy back players that left at a young age to send a message to our current academy, guess we gave up that policy. Now its, ye just leave at 16, get the money and we might buy you again in 5.
tension
0
Well he needs to develop somewhere..
Ludicrou
0
Lmao I'm sorry but Fosu Mensah is not even remotely close to De Ligt's level. He's not a leader either, going from selling your captain to bringing in a rash and inexperienced young player who's not half as good won't do. That said I definitely wouldn't mind selling him for a decent price. He was impressive when he was younger but he's stagnated hard.
KAUSTT
0
Guess we can do a swap deal.
Nicholasly
0
Would be interesting if this happened. He's not progressed as much as he perhaps should have but maybe in his home country in a different league, surrounded by younger players and a sustained run in a team, he'd absolutely kill it.
passioni
0
Have him on loan, or we have first refusal if he happens to come good. His physical attributes aren't the issue, it's his brain that is, fix that he should be amazing