Arsenal may be in no rush to find an immediate successor for Edu with his understudy, assistant sporting director Jason Ayto stepping into the role on a short-term basis and the transfer window being closed. However, that doesn’t mean the Gunners aren’t well on with their search to find a successor for the Brazilian after his resignation earlier this month.
The former Gunners midfielder called time on his second stint at the club, resigning from his role as sporting director after helping transform the club from top-four hopefuls into genuine Premier League title contenders. Edu has overseen the arrivals of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, among others, which has helped make Mikel Arteta’s side one of the best in the division..
A number of names are already being linked with the vacant position and the club’s hierarchy will meet in the United States over the current international break to discuss future transfer plans and Edu’s potential successor.
The Gunners will be buoyed by knowing Edu cannot start work at a new club until he’s served a period of gardening leave, which gives them time to stay ahead of the game.
While time may be on their side to a degree, it’s not infinite, with a number of key contract decisions needing to be made before January. Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to hold talks with interested parties in the January transfer window.
If Arsenal have decided they don’t want to extend the midfield duo’s contracts, then they may look to cash in on them in January. Not having a sporting director in place may hinder them in trying to offload those players, or indeed stand in their way in any possible contract negotiations. That’s not to do Ayto any disservice, rather a permanent sporting director would give players a clear idea of what direction the club wants to go in.
Both Partey (31) and Jorginho (32) are approaching the latter stages of their career and therefore, there won’t be big money involved in any future transfer, but both players bring a wealth of experience to Arteta’s current squad. The latter of the duo has not played much regular football since his move across London from Stamford Bridge, but Partey is a regular starter for Arteta and it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him extend his contract at the Emirates.
That being said, like the rest of the Premier League, Arsenal will have to decide whether the money involved to offer the Ghanaian a new deal is the right move given the need to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. If both move on, it’s likely Arsenal will need to invest in the transfer market, but given the strict PSR rules in place, they may have to promote from within, allowing them to invest in other areas of the squad.
