Who has Edu signed? Arsenal's SEVEN best transfers under sporting director

Cameron Smith

4 Nov 2024 03:00 CST
5 min read

Edu Gaspar, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Arsenal are set to lose sporting director Edu, with the 46-year-old reportedly deciding to step down from his role at the Emirates Stadium.

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Edu, who spent four years at Arsenal as a player, was appointed as the club’s technical director in 2019, before becoming their first-ever sporting director in November 2022.

He has played a key role in helping the Gunners re-establish themselves as a force on both the Premier League and European stage, with his work crucial to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Edu has been a major contributing factor to the overhaul of Arsenal’s playing squad over the past five years, but he is now set to step down from his current role in north London, according to The Daily Mail.

Since returning to the club in 2019, Edu has helped Arsenal sign some of the most talented players in Europe. Below, FootballTransfers have listed his best signings for the Gunners.

William Saliba - €30m (from St Etienne, 2019)

William Saliba was one of Edu’s very first signings at Arsenal and while the move didn’t work out immediately, the Frenchman has been a stellar addition in north London.

Saliba struggled to make an impression upon his arrival at Arsenal and he was sent on three separate loan spells back to Ligue 1 before breaking into Arteta’s favoured XI.

However, he is now one of the best defenders in world football and he is a key reason why Arsenal are strong contenders for every major honour available.

© IMAGO - William Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019

Gabriel Magalhaes - €26m (from Lille, 2020)

12 months after the disastrous addition of Nicolas Pepe from Lille, Arsenal returned to the French giants in order to complete a deal for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Unlike Pepe, however, the Brazilian has been an outstanding signing for the Premier League side.

He has formed an excellent partnership with the aforementioned Saliba, perhaps the best in world football, and he has established himself as a world-class centre-back in his own right.

Ben White - €58.5m (from Brighton, 2021)

Arsenal were heavily criticised for spending close to €60m on Ben White back in 2021, but doubts over the Englishman have now completely dissipated.

White shone in a multitude of positions during his time at Brighton, following a hugely successful loan stint at Leeds, but he struggled at centre-back during his first campaign in London.

However, he has been reborn at right-back and White is now one of the most feared full-backs in the Premier League, while his connection with Bukayo Saka is top notch.

Martin Odegaard - €35m (from Real Madrid, 2021)

Despite sublime loan spells at both Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad, Martin Odegaard failed to make the grade upon returning to Real Madrid and Arsenal acted quickly to sign him on loan in January 2021.

After an impressive six months in England, the Gunners opted to spend €35m to sign him permanently and that fee now looks like a complete bargain.

Odegaard is now one of Arsenal’s most important players and he became club captain upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exit in 2022.

© IMAGO - Martin Odegaard is Arsenal's club captain

Kai Havertz - €75m (from Chelsea, 2023)

Kai Havertz had one standout moment at Chelsea, scoring the winner in the 2021 Champions League final, but the remainder of his career at Stamford Bridge was wholly underwhelming.

As a result, it was slightly surprising to see Arsenal spend an initial €75m to purchase him in 2023.

However, Havertz has firmly proved his critics wrong after finally finding a home as a centre-forward at the Emirates Stadium.

Declan Rice - €116.6m (from West Ham, 2023)

Arsenal were forced to pay a club record fee to bring Declan Rice to north London in 2023, with Manchester City pushing them all the way in the race to sign the England midfielder.

However, Rice settled immediately and while the fee was extortionate, he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he is a key member of Arteta’s team.

Furthermore, he has all the leadership skills necessary to become a future captain if Odegaard ever departs.