Adams: Edu appointment scuppered Arsenal move for Bellingham

David Lynch

• Updated: 17 May 2021 22:23 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed that the appointment of Edu as sporting director cost the club the signing of Jude Bellingham.

Since the Brazilian was made technical director in 2019, the Gunners’ recruitment department has undergone a huge overhaul.

Steve Morrow was sacked from his role as head of youth scouting last November, while head of international scouting Francis Cagigao and head of UK scouting Peter Clark also departed this summer.

And Adams has suggested that this turnover of staff proved to be to Arsenal’s detriment when it came to pursuing Bellingham, who went on to join Borussia Dortmund instead.

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“He got lost this one,” the former defender told Sky Sports News. “In the transition between between the chief scout at Arsenal going out.

“He was spotted very early on, by the Arsenal recruitment office. The chief scout was absolutely bowled over by him and the great prospect that he is.

“The new sporting director, Edu, came in from Brazil and had no European experience, no UK experience and he got lost.

“The chief scout had the deal, kind of, done. He’s a great talent but unfortunately, he’s not joined the right club.”