Premier League owner wants to POACH Arsenal sporting director Edu for intriguing new role
NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis is hoping to poach Edu Gaspar away from Arsenal, according to reports.
Edu is highly thought of in the football executive’s space after his superb work in helping to transform things at Arsenal as Sporting Director.
Edu, who played for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005, has been paramount in Arsenal’s resurgence in recent years – helping to shape a title challenging side alongside manager Mikel Arteta.
His work appears to have earned him some suitors with Brazilian outlet Universo Online claiming that Forest chief Marinakis is looking to snatch the 46-year-old away from North London.
However, the Greek owner isn’t looking to bring him in to steer the ship at the City Ground, but rather has a much grander plan in place for the former Brazil international.
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It’s claimed that Marinakis is looking to make Edu a sort-of CEO specialising in international football across all his endeavours.
Marinakis currently owns three football clubs in Europe.
The 57-year-old is the boss of Nottingham Forest, Greek giants Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave.
It’s reported that Marinakis “dreams” of having Edu as his “right-hand man” in the sports sector.
Edu has been responsible for a number smart signings at the Emirates Stadium that have helped Arteta’s side excel in recent years.
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Those acquisitions include stars such as William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Ben White.
While he was also responsible for bringing Gabriel Martinelli to the club for just £6million, striking up a deal with a club in the Brazilian fourth tier.
The Brazilian revealed that he holds 180-page dossiers on players that the club are considering signing.
Edu was hired by Arsenal in 2019 as a Technical Director and after helping the club flourish he was rewarded with a promotion in 2022, becoming the Gunners’ first ever Sporting Director.
Prior to his role with Arsenal he was working with the Brazilian FA as a Team Coordinator.
While also had a brief spell as an adviser for the Iranian national team after spending five years as Director of Football at Brazilian club Corinthians upon retiring in 2011.
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