Edu is back on course to become Arsenal’s technical director, with 17-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli lined up to be the first signing of a rebuild under Unai Emery.
Former Arsenal midfielder Edu is currently coordinator of the Brazilian FA national teams. The 40-year-old is wanted for the new role at the Emirates after Monchi opted to return to Sevilla after leaving Roma, rather than join Arsenal.
Edu has historical links to the club as part of The Invincibles squad of 2003-04 and is seen as an ideal candidate, but he was previously reluctant to move because Brazil are hosting the Copa America this transfer season.
And while he still would not join Arsenal until the end of the tournament in July, in the middle of the transfer window, the delay in finding a suitable candidate means that is no longer seen as a barrier to his appointment.
Arsenal have identified Martinelli, who playes for Ituano, as their first summer signing and the right-sided attacking player is now on the verge of committing himself to the London club.
Emery is also looking for a centre back, a left back and another attacking wide player.
Adapted from Daily Mail, UK
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.
