Arsenal have been left rocked by the news of Edu Gaspar choosing to depart the Emirates Stadium.
TBR Football understand issues arose between Edu and the Arsenal hierarchy – which made the Brazilian’s position as Director of Football “uncomfortable” according to sources.
It leaves Mikel Arteta without his right hand man and in need of a new Technical Director to assist him with recruitment and other vital tasks behind the scenes.
Despite Arsenal losing the man who negotiated significant deals – such as the £105m signing of Declan Rice – the Gunners are still keen to push ahead with a move to land a player Edu Gaspar wanted in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal remain keen to sign Mohammed Kudus despite Edu Gaspar exit
A story from the Mirror now states that Arsenal still plan to make attempts to sign West Ham No.14 Mohammed Kudus – despite Edu leaving N5.
It is said that Arsenal explored signing the Ghana international before his £38m move to West Ham from Ajax in the summer of 2023 – and remain interested as Leandro Trossard could depart this January.
The Mirror believe the Belgian is still wanted by Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Pro League outfit who made a late move to sign the Arsenal No.19 on transfer deadline day.
Trossard is approaching the final 18 months of his contract at Arsenal, and with Al-Ittihad willing to spend £40m on the man who turns 30 in December, Arteta sees plenty of sense in cashing in.
It would be a wise move to replace the Belgium international with Kudus – who Jarrod Bowen called “special” – as he is only 24 years of age, so Arsenal would be getting value for money in signing a better long term option.
West Ham No.14 could push to join Arsenal
Regardless of whether Arsenal have a replacement for Edu by January or not, Kudus could help the move materialise himself – in our view at least.
The Ghanaian was spotted at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal’s 2-0 win over PSG in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season, fuelling rumours that he supports the Gunners.
Kudus also – allegedly – clashed with Julen Lopetegui at West Ham recently, and with the Hammers struggling this season, he may feel he can do better.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 11 |
Furthermore, insiders believe Arsenal would have signed Kudus in 2023 were it not for the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules restricting what Arteta could do in the transfer market.
Therefore, with £40m potentially in the bank from the possible sale of Trossard to Al-Ittihad, a deal for the man born in Accra could finally happen in 2025, regardless of Edu leaving.