Arsenal are starting to step up their search for Edu Gaspar’s replacement as sporting director at the Emirates Stadium and the process is heating up.
Edu suddenly left Arsenal back in November, which came as quite a shock to the North London club who are still yet to appoint his replacement.
The Brazilian’s former assistant Jason Ayto has been helping Mikel Arteta as an interim Sporting Director following the shock departure.
There are several sporting directors Arsenal could appoint, however, David Ornstein has just played down the possibility of one of the top candidates landing the job.
Roberto Olabe unlikely to join Arsenal at this stage
Roberto Olabe is currently unlikely to join Arsenal as the timing ‘does not work’ with the Real Sociedad sporting director set to wait until the summer to take his next job.
Arsenal have been linked with Olabe, however, the 54-year-old could take a break from football having been with the La Liga club since March 2018.
Ornstein told the Athletic’s YouTube channel: “In terms of Olabe, I broke the news he is leaving Sociedad at the end of the season, he’s clearly very capable in terms of his work at first-team level, academy level, the transfer market and structuring a club.
“He will know Mikel Arteta, he signed him as a player, but from a number of conversations I’ve had he’s looking not to take anything until the summer at the very latest – maybe look to take a break after coming out of a long stint with Sociedad.
“Therefore, there are some suggestions that the timings might not work on him and this, I’m not actually aware of him having spoken to Arsenal but definitely that is one that might have been discussed in the early stages.”
Andrea Berta current favourite for Arsenal sporting director job
Andrea Berta is the current favourite to land the Arsenal job and replace Edu Gaspar having turned down talks with AC Milan to focus on a move to North London.
TBR Football understands that the Gunners already agreed initial terms with the Atletico Madrid sporting director.
Meanwhile, the North London club have spoken to a host of candidates, including former Manchester United and Newcastle chief Dan Ashworth.
