Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Man United hire Juventus' scouting manager Javier Ribalta - sources

Juventus scouting manager Javier Ribalta is set to join Manchester United, sources have told ESPN FC.

The Serie A side announced on Friday that Ribalta has left his role after five years in Turin.

He will move to Old Trafford to work alongside head of global scouting Marcel Bout and chief scout Jim Lawlor, sources said.

In a statement published on Juventus' official website, Ribalta said: "It has been a wonderful few years here.

"My thanks go to all involved with the club, particulalry Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici for the faith they have shown in me since day one. I will look back on my time at Juventus with great pleasure."

Ribalta is the latest appointment while United undergo a restructure of their scouting network.

Dutchman Bout, who was brought to Old Trafford by Louis van Gaal as an opposition scout, has been retained, while David Harrison has been named head of academy recruitment with Lyndon Tomlinson as his assistant.

Both Harrison and Tomlinson previously worked at Manchester City.

Ribalta earned a reputation for helping Juventus make astute signings during his time in Italy, including Paulo Dybala, Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman. He also oversaw the arrivals of Sami Khedira and Dani Alves on free transfers.

Juventus have won the last six Series A titles and reached the Champions League final in both 2015 and 2017.

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