Arsenal are confident of securing the future of technical director Edu as they continue planning for the January transfer window.
Edu has built an impressive reputation since being appointed in 2019 and he has been linked with similar roles at rival European clubs.
But Arsenal are confident the Brazilian is committed to the project at Emirates Stadium and have held preliminary talks with him over a new contract.
Edu oversaw a good transfer window last summer during which Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, as well as offloaded a number of unwanted players
Arsenal have specifically targeted young players with potential to develop and Edu has a close working relationship with manager Mikel Arteta. The two work closely together on transfers and Arsenal want to secure his long-term future.
Asked last week by Standard Sport about Edu’s commitment to Arsenal amid reports linking him with other clubs, Arteta said: “It’s a question for him but for what I know he is fully committed.”
Edu has spoken glowingly about the project at Arsenal in the past and outlined how this season was the one he and owners the Kroenkes expected the team to thrive.
Arsenal, who sit top of Premier League after a brilliant start, are working on transfer plans for the January are expected to stick to the policy they have shown in recent windows.
The club has never been afraid to back Arteta, though they will only move for players with quality they feel will improve the squad and, as was shown with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in the summer, they will not be held to ransom.
Arsenal remain interested in signing a wide forward after looking at Pedro Neto from Wolves in the summer and scouting Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk, while a left-sided centre-back and a midfielder are also long-term targets.
The Gunners are aware that the World Cup next month could make their January planning more problematic as players run the risk of injury in Qatar.
Arsenal are finalising plans for a mini pre-season during the World Cup. As first reported by Standard Sport, the plan is to head to Dubai for some warm-weather training.
