Edu has been tasked with the mission of acquiring a new striker and the importance of doing so mustn't be understated amid Arsenal's ongoing striker dilemma.
Alexandre Lacazette's and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's long-term futures at the Emirates are, naturally, relatively uncertain given their age and current contract situations.
The former sees his current deal in north London expire at the end of the season and will become eligible to begin pre-contractual talks with other clubs in January.
Football.london understands that Lacazette has no intention of extending his stay at Arsenal, leaving the door wide open to an exit.
Meanwhile, Aubameyang's contract with the Gunners doesn't expire until 2023 so the culmination of his age, 32, leaves his future teetering on the brink of uncertainty with time running out before Edu can recuperate a slice of the original fee paid.
Keen to get the ball rolling, Arsenal have identified Dominic Calvert-Lewin as their primary target next summer, according the Mirror.
The England international, who is valued at £40.5 million by Transfermakrt, sees his current deal at Goodison Park run until 2025.
However, despite the attraction that a hefty fee brings to a transfer story, Edu must look beyond the price tag and liaise with Arteta to ensure that the 24-year-old's potential arrival is what the Gunners need.
In Arsenal's latest loss to Manchester United Aubameyang, who led the line, ended his innings with a fewer number of touches (28) than any other starting outfield player suggesting that Arteta wants a deeper lying number nine in the big games.
Calvert-Lewin fell into a similar trap with the Toffees last season after making the second fewest number of touches per 90 minutes (33.4) out out of the top six Premier League goal scorers.
Arsenal shouldn't necessarily rule out the prospect of rolling out the red carpet for Everton's talisman in the summer, but Edu has found himself the next Joao Felix that could be the better option for Arteta's philosophy.
Edu has joined the race for Benfica frontman Darwin Nunez, according to Uruguayan outlet Traspasos.
The report claims that the Gunners face competition from Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid for the 22-year-old striker.
Nunez is documented as a defensively astute forward who presses well from the front, good in the air and uses his six foot two frame well to create opportunities for others.
The Uruguayan's arguably more pro-active role as a number nine could sway Arteta's decision before he signs another striker who he can't integrate into general possession.
However, Nunez's reported €150 million (£128m) release clause - similar or that of Joao Felix's which was bought out by Atletico Madrid in 2019 - could spell the end of Edu's pursuit before it's even started.
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