Arsenal are set to lose sporting director Edu Gaspar with the Brazilian poised to join up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and his network of clubs.
The departure will remove one of Mikel Arteta’s key allies at the Emirates after a successful period establishing the Gunners as one of the most efficient clubs in Europe in the transfer market.
The Brazilian has played a vital role in Arteta’s side emerging as Premier League title contenders with some of the best business in recent years including the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
The former Arsenal midfielder has established himself as one of the game’s leading sporting directors after impressing with both signings and trimming down the Gunners’ squad after selling Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
Edu has been in talks with the Marinakis group and could now lead their recruitment to assist with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Greek club Olympiacos, as well as Portuguese side Rio Ave.
The move will force a reshuffle at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy at a pivotal time for the club and their push to wrestle the title away from Manchester City.
The 46-year-old has been on record about his pride in shifting the culture at the Emirates and “changing how people see our club and the vision people have of Arsenal compared to the past.”
Edu maintained winning was not enough for Arsenal and their style was also paramount to their success.
“I want to win the best way possible,” he said. “When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.”
The Brazilian midfielder was signed by Arsene Wenger and became an integral part of ‘The Invincibles’ alongside teammates Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown.