Football lost one of the best and most renowned talent spotters when Arsenal ’s former chief scout Steve Rowley died last weekend, aged 63.
Former stars Robin van Persie, Ray Parlour and Cesc Fabregas have been quick to pay tribute and there are countless stories about amazing transfer coups during Rowley’s remarkable career at Arsenal.
One such story rather sums up Rowley’s record. Rowley went to the Toulon tournament in 2014, sat behind one of Alexis Sanchez’s representatives who, because they knew each other and had a connection, said that Sanchez was available. Rowley came back to Arsenal, reported his information to Arsene Wenger and the club’s transfer fixer Dick Law who both laughed off the idea that Barcelona would entertain the idea of selling one of their biggest stars.
