Arsenal are pressing ahead with plans to appoint their first-ever director of football, with former player Marc Overmars among the early contenders for the role.

In a move that is unlikely to be well received by under-fire boss Arsene Wenger, the club are continuing with their search for a new football figurehead.

Arsenal chiefs want a candidate to not only be in charge of club transfers, but also oversee the entire footballing ethos.

Marc Overmars, director of football at Ajax, has been linked with a move to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger's position at Arsenal manager has come under intense scrutiny this season

Wenger has become the single most important figure, in a football sense, at the club during his 21-year reign - having the final say on transfer and team matters.

How the Frenchman would react to having to work alongside a director of football remains to be seen, but the club are resolved to making the appointment.

The club have started making early overtures regarding an appointment and Sportsmail understands Overmars, who is currently director of football at Ajax, is someone who interests the club.

Overmars spent three years with Arsenal, winning the Double playing under Wenger in 1998.

Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc is another candidate known to have impressed the Arsenal hierarchy.