Edu ‘agrees to join rival Premier League club’ from Arsenal following the Brazilian’s decision to leave his role as sporting director at the Emirates

Edu is reportedly set to remain in the Premier League despite deciding to stand down as sporting director at Arsenal.

Former Gunners midfielder Edu returned to the north London outfit in July 2019 when he was hired as the club’s first technical director. He was later promoted to sporting director. 

Edu is widely credited with doing an excellent job and playing a crucial role in Arsenal’s rebuild under manager Mikel Arteta.

However, as revealed by Mail Sport on Monday morning, the 46-year-old Brazilian has decided to move on following talks with the club’s hierarchy.

It has since been reported by The Athletic that Edu is now poised to link up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and his network of clubs after agreeing a deal with the east Midlands club.

Edu has worked closely with manager Mikel Arteta (left) at the Emirates Stadium since 2019

But Edu is now reportedly set to take a new job working for Evangelos Marinakis (pictured)

Reporter David Ornstein revealed that the deal has not been signed and his role is yet to be finalised, but he is likely to oversee the growth of Marinakis’ multi-club operation. 

Earlier, The Independent reported that Edu is likely to triple his salary in his new post.  

Edu is said to have held positive talks with the Marinakis group, which includes Greek club Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave, as well as Forest.

Forest moved ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table on Saturday when they beat West Ham 3-0, shortly after Arteta’s men had lost 1-0 at Newcastle.

Arsenal currently sit fifth in the table with 18 points, while Forest are third with 19.

Edu won six trophies with Arsenal during his playing career, including two Premier League titles – in 2002 and 2004.

Since returning to the club as a director, Edu has witnessed one FA Cup triumph, while Arsenal have also won the Community Shield twice.

The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons, having placed eighth, eighth and fifth in the three campaigns prior.

Marinakis owns multiple football clubs, including Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest

Forest are above Arsenal in the Premier League table after an impressive start to the season

Ben White, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber (left to right) – who were all signed by Edu and Arteta – pictured on Saturday following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss away at Newcastle

Edu has previously expressed his pride at how the culture at Arsenal has improved since his return to the club.

He once said in an interview that he was proud to have supported Arteta in ‘changing how people see our club and the vision people have of Arsenal compared to the past.’ 

Edu added during the interview: ‘I want to win the best way possible. When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.’