The Sunday Times claim that he is on a short-list to replace Keith Edelman, who was forced out of his £1 million-a-year post last week.

 

Deighton is one of several high-profile candidates targetted for the role which would involve working closely with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and negogiating new player contracts and securing transfer targets.

 

Other names mentioned in connection with the job include Karren Brady, the managing director of Birmingham City, and Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League.

 

Deighton is a keen Arsenal supporter who has his own box at the Emirates.

 

He joined London 2012 in December 2005 from Goldman Sachs after seeing the £300,000-per-year job advertised in The Economist.

 

Deighton, who was born in Carshalton but now lives in Central London, is worth an estimated £110 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List as a result mainly of share options and bonuses from Goldman Sachs.

 

He has dovetailed neatly with Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, and is highly regarded by senior officials of the International Olympic Committee.