Edu has been heavily criticised in the past for his transfer market activity as Arsenal’s technical director since taking over in 2019. However, he is beginning to show why he has been incredibly important to the Gunners’ rebuild.
The current summer transfer window has epitomised the successful job Edu has carried out to ensure Arsenal remains at the top in the years that are to follow. While rival clubs continue to franticly panic buy to improve their team before the end of the window, Edu has already undertaken the necessary ground to ensure this is not the case for the north London side.
When the Brazilian took the role in 2019, Arsenal’s transfer activity was scrutinised for the lack of strategy. But, the last three summer transfer windows have put the Gunners in an excellent position to reach the heights which Arsene Wenger elevated the club to.
READ MORE: Edu's genius £6m transfer call solves important key area in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal rebuild
Chelsea are in talks with Everton to sign attacker Anthony Gordon, football.london understands. The Blues saw an initial bid of around £40m turned down by the Toffees. Chelsea are expected to test Everton's resolve once again with a new and improved bid, in the region of £50m. Gordon is understood to want the move to Stamford Bridge before next month's transfer deadline.
The price that Chelsea are willing to pay for Gordon highlights the desperation for Todd Boehly to improve Thomas Tuchel’s team before the end of the window. Since making his Premier League debut in the 2020/2021 season, Gordon has only scored four goals for the Toffees, which shows he is not worth the money being quoted for him.
Thankfully, Arsenal do not have to indulge in such business because Edu’s groundwork of signing young wingers with great potential has been done in the years leading up to the state where the Gunners find themselves in now.
Gabriel Martinelli has been sensational since making the move to Arsenal from Brazil's fourth division in 2019 for £6million after being persuaded by Edu to make the move. His drive and ability have made him a guaranteed starter under Arteta.
He is a young player that plays without fear and his interesting scoring record with more away than home goals epitomises that in the Premier League for the Gunners. Because of his lack of fear, he has become one of Arsenal's main scoring threats from wide areas, which Chelsea are looking to replicate by surprisingly being willing to offer £50m for Gordon.
The same situation also follows with Manchester United. The Red Devils are desperate for a striker going into the next month of the new season, and are willing to spend €50million (£42million) for Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha according to TalkSport.
The Brazilian has failed to score more than 10 league goals in a single season since making the move to Europe in 2017. His price tag is similar to Gabriel Jesus who Arsenal signed at the start of the summer transfer following Edu’s clear strategy to bring him into the club.
Not only does he have valuable Premier League experience, but he has also elevated the Arsenal team and has started the season excellently for Arteta’s side without the need of an adaptation period which will likely be needed for Cunha.
Edu has rightly been criticised in the past for his transfer dealings with Arsenal. But, this current window has epitomised why the Brazilian’s long-term plan is helping Arteta reap the rewards.
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