Arsenal have set their sights on Simon Rolfes of Bayer Leverkusen as they continue their search for a new sporting director.
The Gunners were rocked by the departure of Edu earlier this month, with the influential Brazilian set to take up a new global football role with Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
Edu has been instrumental in improving the club’s fortunes on the pitch alongside Mikel Arteta in recent years – and the club are already working on sourcing a replacement.
As outlined by The Mail, Arsenal’s powerbrokers are in Los Angeles this week for a summit to discuss their next move. And Rolfes is said to have admirers within the club hierarchy as a result of his sterling work in Germany.
The 42-year-old has overseen a boom period for the Bundesliga outfit, who wrestled the Bundesliga title away from the cast-iron grip of Bayern Munich last season courtesy of an unbeaten campaign under the highly sought-after Xabi Alonso.
Real Sociedad’s outgoing director of football Roberto Olabe is also likely to come under consideration for the role. It emerged on Wednesday that the Spaniard would be leaving the La Liga side at the end of the season.
Jason Ayto, Edu’s assistant, is currently undertaking his duties with the former midfielder now on gardening leave. He could also emerge as a candidate to take on the job full-time and is highly thought of at The Emirates.
Edu confirmed to the club’s official website last week that he leaves Arsenal with a heavy heart. He feels, though, that the time is right for a new challenge. He explained: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
