Arsenal is said to be planning to appoint a new sports director next month and is currently choosing between candidates after the departure of Edu in November.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed last year that the Brazilian made the decision to leave the Emirates Stadium after having spent five seasons at the club.
EDU – A former Arsenal – midfielder between 2001 and 2005 – was highly appreciated for various successful transfers in the Mikel Arteta team in recent years, such as Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
In his absence, deputy Jason Ayto was promoted on an interim basis, but now the Gunners are ready to appoint a permanent sports director and they have drawn up a shortlist of four specialists to replace the Brazilian.
However, according to athletics, Ayto also played the option for a full -time role in addition to Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro.
The interim assistant of Arsenal led the unproductive search of the Gunners for a striker in the transfer star of January.
Former sports director of Manchester United, Ashworth,, however, originated in the list, despite the fact that he recently landed a new job as a freelance consultant at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
The 53-year-old lasted only five months in Old Trafford before his departure in December 2024.
Berta – former sports director of Atletico Madrid – received a reputation in the capital of Spain for various successful signing sessions, such as Antoine Griezmann, Rodri and Jan Oblak.
He ended his journey with the Laliga Giants after a hectic summer with various high -profile acquisitions, including Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Alexander Sorloth.
Sociedad sports director Roberto Olabe was unveiled in January as one of the names on the shortlist of Arsenal to replace Edu because he will leave La Real at the end of the season and the preference of Arteta is for the position.
Surprisingly, the list did not include former Gunners' midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who was supposed to take on the role.
The 44 -year -old – who played for Arsenal between 2006 and 2016 – has been working as sports director of Sparta Prague since 2018.
The list, however, included Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro, who is reportedly interested in moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Replacing EDU would not be an easy task after the Brazilian had a strong impact on both team arrivals and departure since 2019.
The 46-year-old supported the discharge of problematic team players, such as Pierre-Eerick Aubameyang and his move to Barcelona, after he ended his contract with the Gunners.
Speaking after his departure, Edu shared an emotional message on the website of the club in which it was explained that it was time to resign.
He said: “This was an incredibly difficult decision to make. Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many great people and the chance to be part of something so special in the history of the club.
'It has been a special trip and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they have given me.
'I enjoyed working with so many great colleagues in our men's, women's and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a good friend.
'Now it's time to take on another challenge. Arsenal will always stay in my heart. I only wish the club and its supporters good things and the very best. '
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