EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal approach PSG transfer guru Luis Campos to replace Edu

Robin Bairner

Updated: 18 Nov 2024 20:29 GMT
3 min read

Luis Campos has been approached by Arsenal to take over from Edu, FootballTransfers understands.

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The Gunners are searching for a replacement for Edu, who officially quit his role as Arsenal sporting director earlier this month in order to join Nottingham Forest's multi-club network.

Campos’ three-year contract as Football Advisor to PSG expires at the end of this season.

PSG and Nasser Al-Khelaifi have told Campos that they want to extend his deal.

There have been discussions over the conditions for some time now but the two parties are yet to come to an agreement.

This has led Arsenal to explore Campos’ availability following Edu's resignation.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal's interest has been driven by manager Mikel Arteta, who will be key to the appointment of Edu’s successor.

Campos built two title-winning teams in Ligue 1 at Monaco and Lille before moving to PSG, where he won back-to-back titles whilst completely overhauling the squad and greatly reducing the wage bill.

At all three of these clubs he demonstrated the ability to sign young, undervalued talents who have turned into elite performers.

He has also excelled at making intelligent signings of more experienced players.

These qualities and attributes are seen as well-suited to the way that Arsenal operate as a club.

Campos has long held an interest in working in the Premier League.

© IMAGO - Edu resigned as Arsenal sporting director this month

Who is Luis Campos?

He turned 60 in September and has a reputation as one of the most admired sporting directors and transfer chiefs in Europe.

Campos had a short-lived playing career as a right-back before becoming a football manager at the age of just 27 in the early nineties.

He was the manager of a number of Portuguese teams over the next decade, including Gil Vicente, Vitoria de Setubal and Beira-Mar.

But it was his metamorphosis into a director where he really began to make his mark on European football.

As Monaco sporting director from 2013 to 2016 he oversaw the transfers of stars such as Radamel Falcao, Anthony Martial, Bernardo Silva and James Rodriguez.

At Lille from 2017 to 2020 he masterminded the deals of stars such as Victor Osimhen, Rafa Leao and current Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes.

At PSG, some of his most noteworthy signings include Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Bradley Barcola.

Read more about: Ligue 1, Premier League, Arsenal, Nottingham, PSG