Aston Villa are on the verge of losing their president of football operations, with Monchi expected to depart after approximately two years at the Midlands club.
The Spanish executive arrived at Villa Park in June 2023 and has managed five transfer windows during his time with the Premier League side.
Reports confirmed the imminent exit, which represents a significant development for Villa's football operations structure.
The 57-year-old has held responsibility for overseeing the club's recruitment strategy, collaborating with other senior staff members including director of football operations Damian Vidagany, who took up his position following Monchi's appointment.
Monchi is set to leave his position at Aston Villa after two years at the club
|PA
An official announcement regarding his departure is anticipated within the next few hours.
The timing of this departure coincides with Villa's disappointing campaign, having failed to secure a victory in their opening five Premier League matches.
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The team has managed just three draws alongside two defeats, with their attacking output particularly concerning - netting merely a single goal throughout this period.
Financial restrictions have significantly hampered Villa's ability to strengthen their squad.
The Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules compelled the club to offload players, notably academy products Jacob Ramsey and Omari Kellyman, whose transfers generated pure profit for accounting purposes.
Additionally, UEFA's squad cost regulations have imposed strict limitations on expenditure relative to the wage structure, creating further obstacles for squad development.
Jacob Ramsey was sold by Aston Villa this summer to Newcastle so the club could comply with PSR
|REUTERS
The departure represents a particular setback for manager Unai Emery, who has maintained a strong professional partnership with Monchi spanning multiple clubs.
Their collaboration dates back to their highly successful period at Sevilla, where they secured three consecutive Europa League titles between 2014 and 2017.
This established relationship was instrumental in Monchi's recruitment to Villa Park, with Emery specifically requesting his appointment.
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Monchi was a key ally of Unai Emery's at Aston Villa
|PA
Their proven track record of working effectively together had raised expectations for similar achievements in Birmingham.
The loss of such a trusted colleague arrives as Emery prepares his team for their Europa League opener against Bologna on Thursday, marking Villa's return to the competition under his management.
Villa supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with the recruitment outcomes during Monchi's tenure, particularly regarding the perceived lack of substantial squad improvements.
His primary remit centred on identifying and securing new talent, yet criticism mounted over the limited impact of recent signings.
The financial pressures became evident when UEFA imposed a £9.5 million penalty on Villa in July for breaching their regulations.
These constraints severely restricted the club's capacity to enhance the squad that had achieved success under Emery's guidance.
Unai Emery has come under pressure this season
| PAReports suggest Monchi had been contemplating a return to Spain for an extended period, though his loyalty to Emery had influenced his decision to remain at Villa Park until now.