Arsène Wenger has decided to wait until at least the end of August before appointing a director of football at Arsenal. The position was thought to be a priority after the April departure of the vice-chairman, David Dein, who played a key role in negotiating transfers and contracts.

Wenger, though, has been working on deals with the long-serving director Ken Friar and does not want to disrupt that arrangement during the transfer window.

He said, "I wanted to do it before the end of the season, when I started buying and selling.

"But then I thought that now is the worst time because I have no time to tell someone how I want to do things. I did not want to unsettle the team before the end of the transfer market. So at the moment I work with Ken Friar and it is working well for us."

The former Arsenal midfielder Gilles Grimandi, the club's scout in France, is regarded as the front-runner after Reading's Nicky Hammond declined the offer.

Wenger, who has been granted the power to select the new man, has opened talks on extending his own contract beyond next summer and is confident about the new season.

"We lost the championship last season against teams in the bottom half of the table," he said. "So that is where we will have to be much more efficient. My squad has outstanding qualities; there are factors in the team which tell you that this side can be absolutely outstanding.

"But to win trophies you have to be a killer. You have to have everything together and that is what we are aiming for."

Meanwhile, Egypt striker Mido is on the point of leaving Tottenham and claims a deal has been struck with Birmingham.

Mido (24) found his chances limited at Spurs last season, and the arrival of €24.5-million striker Darren Bent has pushed him down to fifth in the pecking order.

"Both sides have agreed terms," he said. "I will move on a one-year loan deal to Birmingham and at the end they could buy my contract if the club survives in the Premier League. Birmingham's offer is the best I had received, especially if I chose to stay in England."

Birmingham have also made an inquiry about Spurs midfielder Hossam Ghal.

Birmingham and Barnsley have been fined by the FA and warned following a mass brawl between players and officials at Oakwell in April. Barnsley were penalised €10,400 and City €8,910.