Former Arsenal midfielder Edu is set to return to the club as sporting director, according to a number of reports in Brazil.
The Brazilian was a member of the Invincibles and made 127 appearances in four-and-a-half years at the club.
Edu, 40, is currently in situ as the General Co-ordinator for the Brazil national team, having previously impressed as sporting director at Corinthians and assisting Carlos Quieroz’s Iran side at the 2014 World Cup.
But according to UOL in his homeland, Edu has inked a five-year deal to return to the Gunners following this summer’s Copa America.
The tournament, taking place in Brazil, ends on July 7.
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Edu has worked closely with Selecao boss Tite, but further sources in Brazil claim that he has also clashed with new CBF president Rogerio Caboclo.
As such, has has brokered a deal to move to the Emirates, and is currently pushing for his successor at Corinthians, Duilio Monteiro Alves, to replace him with the national side.
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Arsenal have been pushing for a new sporting director since the revamp of the club’s hierarchy; the decision not to offer Sven Mislintat the role led to the German leaving his position of head or recruitment earlier this season.
Spaniard Monchi was lined up to reunite with Unai Emery in the role, but the former Roma chief subsequently elected to return to another of his former sides, Sevilla, instead.
Head of football Raul Sanllehi and chief negotiator Huss Fahey will be tasked with much of Arsenal’s transfer business this summer.
The weekend draw with Brighton has left the Gunners needing to win the Europa League to return to the Champions League next term.
