What happened: Fabrizio Romano reports that negotiations between veteran director Ramon 'Monchi' Rodriguez Verdejo and Espanyol have reached very advanced stages. Mundo Deportivo first surfaced the move, with Monchi said to have opened the door to taking over sporting direction at the Catalan club.

Why it matters: Monchi built multiple title-winning squads at Sevilla and is regarded as one of European football's most influential transfer architects. His arrival would signal serious investment from Espanyol's ownership and reshape the club's recruitment philosophy heading into the 2026-27 window.

What to watch: Watch for Espanyol to confirm the appointment and for early signals on the head coach decision, with Bordalas reported as an option. A Monchi unveiling would likely trigger a coordinated coaching and squad-planning announcement.