Exclusive: Edu has already been in lengthy talks over his next job after he leaves Arsenal

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Edu Gaspar’s shock decision to step down as Arsenal’s sporting director has certainly come at an inopportune time for the Gunners.

Arsenal have failed to win in their last three Premier League games and there’s already talk of another disappointing season stuck behind Manchester City, and even Liverpool this time around.

Edu has been at the heart of Arsenal’s attempts to deliver a first league title in 20 years working alongside Mikel Arteta, but that’s now an ambition he’s leaving behind.

Edu has struggled to work with Arsenal’s hierarchy of late, meaning the club will now be on the hunt for a suitable candidate to see his five-year project over the line.

But in terms of the Brazilian’s own future, TBR Football understands that Edu has been in talks with Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis for a number of weeks.

Evangelos Marinakis confident of signing Edu Gaspar after Arsenal departure

Marinakis currently owns Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave, and wants Edu to become part of his footballing business.

Edu is being lined up for a similar role to Jurgen Klopp is now playing at Red Bull Leipzig, titled as ‘head of global soccer’ in his own position.

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Marinakis envisions Edu in a sporting director type role that would include him being involved in all of the clubs he owns, and to that end, he’s confident of getting him.

Edu has been in talks with Marinakis for a number of weeks as he became aware of the situation changing at Arsenal.

If he leaves Arsenal to work with Marinakis, the Brazilian could take a title of ‘CEO of footballing operations’, a similar title to Michael Edwards has for the Fenway Sports Group.

Marinakis is looking to add more clubs to his footballing group in the near future, at least one more in Europe but also in South America and Asia.

The Forest owner believes that Edu’s knowledge could be vital in doing so, a big reason why he’s chasing his signature.

Losing Edu is a big blow for Mikel Arteta

On his part, Arteta is said to be confident that the club will find the right replacement for Edu.

However, he must be disappointed to lose a close confidant that has shares his ambition for the club, the end of a productive working relationship.

Edu was instrumental to some excellent signings at Arsenal, including the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli.

And it has to be thought that Arsenal are now unlikely to make big moves to improve their squad in January, given all the disruption that will ensue before then.

A difficult period for Arsenal, but one that can still have a positive conclusion should the right decisions be made both on and off the pitch.