Marc Overmars is reportedly ‘open’ to taking up a role as part of Arsenal ’s transfer committee.
The former winger enjoyed a brilliant spell in north London during his playing career, winning the double under Arsene Wenger in 1997.
After retiring as a player in 2009, Overmars has spent the majority of his time working with Dutch giants Ajax.
Initially employed as a coach, the 47-year-old became director of football of the Eredivisie giants in 2012.
Since his appointment, Ajax have won three league titles, reached a Europa League final and lost a dramatic Champions League semi-final tie to Tottenham in 2019.
Recently he has suggested he could look for a new challenge, after a period of sustained success alongside Edwin van der Sar.
Along with Arsenal, Overmars is also interested in taking up a position with Barcelona. But should he return to the Gunners to work with technical director Edu, he has a rich track record of making a splash in the transfer market.
Here’s a selection of some of his most shrewd signings during his time in Amsterdam.
January 2015 - Andre Onana (€200k) from Barcelona
Signed as a youngster from Barcelona, Onana has become a regular for the last five seasons, playing key roles in their European runs in recent seasons.
He’s previously admitted that he would be open to a move to the Premier League. He was recently handed a 12-month ban for doping offences, although the club have defended him and plan to appeal.
May 2015 – Arkadiusz Milik (€2.8m) from Bayer Leverkusen
Initially signed on loan in 2014, the Poland international hit the ground running, netting 23 times in all competitions.
That deal was then made permanent the following summer, where he would bag another 24 goals in just 42 games.
And just 12 months after completing the switch, he was sold for a profit of more than €30m when he was sold to Napoli for €35m.
Milik enjoyed four seasons in Serie A before moving to Marseille on loan during the most recent transfer window.
August 2015 – Frenkie de Jong (€1)
The nominal €1 fee paid to Willem II is arguably one of the best value for money signings of all time.
After impressing for Jong in the Eerste Divisie, De Jong was handed a chance in the senior team, becoming a regular in 2017/18.
His final season was one of the most impressive in the rich history of the club. In playing a key role in the run to the final four of the Champions League, he was named as the UEFA Midfielder of the season, Eredivisie Player of the season, Dutch Talent of the year; as well as being named in the UEFA Team of the year.
Those final months came after Barcelona confirmed a pre-agreement to sign the midfielder worth €75m.
Since moving to the Nou Camp, he has become a regular alongside Lionel Messi and co.
June 2016 – Davinson Sanchez (€5m) from Atletico Nacional
No signing highlights the efficiency of the transfer process at Ajax better than Sanchez.
Signed in the summer of 2016, the centre-back had one season in the Netherlands, helping his club to the Europa League final, where they were beaten by Manchester United.
And then just 14 months after his arrival, Tottenham agreed a deal worth in the region of £42m to acquire his services, where he has become a regular ever since.
January 2017 – David Neres (€12m) from Sao Paulo
Signed when he was still 19, Neres had very little senior football, but Overmars and the rest of the Ajax think tank saw enough to splash a relatively high fee on the player.
And it looks set to pay off. In 91 league games he has 32 goals and the winger has been extensively linked with a move away, where they are sure to make a big profit on their investement.
January 2018 – Nicolas Tagliafico (€4.5m) from Independiente
Another defender that looks set to pocket Ajax a massive porfit. The left-back was signed from the Argentinian club and has been a regular ever since
Transfermarkt currently rate his value at £22.5m, with extensive links to the Premier League resurfacing in almost every transfer window.
June 2018 – Dusan Tadic (€11.4m) from Southampton
After an up and down spell in the Premier League, few would have anticipated the Serbian becoming one of the best midfielders in Eruope.
But his first season in Amsterdam saw him do just that, netting a staggering 38 goals in 56 games as Ajax were seconds away from a Champions League final.
That year saw him recognised in the Champons League Team of the Season, as well as a nominee for the Ballon d’Or.
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