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Edu Gaspar with Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, is set to leave the club amid interest from Evangelos Marinakis’ group of clubs, including Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and Rio Ave.
According to multiple reports on Monday, the Brazilian, who played a pivotal role in reshaping Arsenal’s transfer strategy and on-field identity since 2019, is expected to take on a new challenge within Marinakis’ multi-club network.
With potential expansion plans for a fourth European club, Sky Sports News reported on Monday that the former Gunners midfielder has been responsible for the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, while he helped offload the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
Since Edu arrived at the club, Arsenal have spent £867m—only Chelsea and Manchester United have spent more in that period—and have won the FA Cup while finishing as runners-up in the last two Premier League seasons.
The 46-year-old Brazilian, who has played a vital role at Arsenal in recent years, is poised to take on a significant new challenge under Marinakis’ multi-club ownership structure, according to The Independent.
Edu’s departure signals a major shakeup within Arsenal’s transfer department, with Express highlighting the impending impact of his exit.
According to The Daily Mail, Edu’s decision to leave the Emirates Stadium was self-initiated. Although the specifics remain unclear, recent changes in the responsibilities of senior figures at the club are believed to have influenced his choice.
Meanwhile, more details on the situation are expected within the next 24 hours, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expected to address Edu’s situation during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, ahead of their Champions League clash with AC Milan at the San Siro.
Edu Gaspar rejoins Arsenal
The former midfielder, who was part of the club’s legendary 2003/04 Invincibles squad, returned to North London in 2019 to assume the role of technical director, as noted by Punch Newspapers.
“He left his position as general coordinator for the Brazilian Football Confederation, where he celebrated a Copa America victory on home soil, to coordinate Arsenal’s first-team coaching, academy, and player recruitment efforts. His work was part of the club’s broader strategy to modernise following the departure of Arsène Wenger,” PUNCH reported.
In 2022, Edu was promoted to become Arsenal’s first-ever sporting director.
During his tenure, he was pivotal in reshaping the team’s identity, overseeing the acquisitions of key players.
Edu has been vocal about his vision for Arsenal, emphasising the importance of style and substance. “Winning is not enough for Arsenal; style is paramount,” he once stated. “I want to win the best way possible. When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.”
According to reports, Arsenal’s challenge now will be finding a successor who can sustain the momentum Edu has built.
Similarly, football transfer analyst, Fabrizio Romano also disclosed this on his official X page on Monday.
He wrote, “Edu Gaspar will leave Arsenal, as the plan will be confirmed soon; he’ll leave his director position at the club.
“Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Marinakis has always wanted Edu as a top target to coordinate the group.”
