GUNNERS DITCH PEPE DEAL FIXER

ARSENAL have parted company with head of football Raul Sanllehi – just a day after it was revealed an investigation had been launched into the £72million signing of Nicolas Pepe last summer.

The Gunners confirmed Sanllehi’s departure before adding: “Vinai Venkatesham, our current managing director, will lead us going forward.”

Venkatesham will now work with Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu on transfers. Sanllehi (above), whose departure is understood to be part of a wider club review – the Gunners confirmed they were making 55 redundancies last week – rather than the probe into Pepe’s transfer, said: “I’m proud of the contribution I’ve made over the past three years, and look forward to the club’s future success.”

A statement from owners Stan and Josh Kroenke read: “Raul will always be part of the Arsenal family. We thank him for all his hard work and expertise.”