Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, is reportedly set to depart the club amid strong interest from Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs, which includes Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and Rio Ave. Multiple sources on Monday confirmed the Brazilian’s likely move to take on a new role within Marinakis’ expanding football empire, which may soon include a fourth European club.
Edu, who has significantly shaped Arsenal’s transfer strategy since his arrival in 2019, played a key role in bringing star players like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice to North London while managing the high-profile departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil. Under Edu’s direction, Arsenal spent £867 million, ranking just behind Chelsea and Manchester United in spending. His contributions helped the club secure an FA Cup title and finish as Premier League runners-up twice.
According to *The Independent*, Edu’s departure marks a major shift within Arsenal’s management. *Express* highlighted the potential impact on the club’s transfer strategy, while *The Daily Mail* suggested that Edu initiated his decision, influenced by recent shifts in responsibilities among Arsenal’s senior staff.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expected to address Edu’s situation in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday before their Champions League clash with AC Milan.
Edu, a member of Arsenal’s iconic 2003/04 Invincibles squad, returned to the club in 2019 as technical director, after serving as general coordinator for the Brazilian Football Confederation. In 2022, he was promoted to Arsenal’s first-ever sporting director, where he emphasized not only success but a distinctive playing style, stating, “Winning is not enough for Arsenal; style is paramount. I want to win the best way possible.”
The club is now tasked with finding a successor capable of continuing Edu’s momentum and modernizing Arsenal post-Arsène Wenger.
Football analyst Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on his X page, adding that Marinakis has long targeted Edu as a key figure to coordinate his multi-club structure.
