Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea has pointed out that Arsenal’s technical director could be the difference-maker in their pursuit of Raphinha this summer. Edu has been in the role at the Emirates for three years and, a former Brazilian international himself, has strong links to key players in the South American game.
Arsenal took pole position in the race for the Whites winger in a surprising turn earlier in the week when they became the first club to table an official bid on Tuesday evening. That bid, while the exact value is unknown, was someway below Leeds’ £65million valuation and subsequently swiftly rejected.
There has been heavy interest in the 25-year-old from Barcelona, but the Catalan club have gone quiet in the last week amid speculation that their financial problems may be too debilitating to secure a deal. And while Tottenham and Chelsea have also registered their interest in the 11-goal winger, ex-Republic of Ireland international O’Shea believes the Brazilian link of Edu could provide the difference.
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“For a number of years, people have always said that Arsenal need to sort out their defence but they seemingly got their back four settled last season. After a shaky start, Ben White looks really solid now.” O’Shea told PaddyPower . “When good players pop up like Raphinha and Gabriel Jesus and the transfers make sense financially. They’re both Brazilian players and they have a Brazilian Director of Football at Arsenal [Edu] that will be an attractive link too.
“Arteta knows Jesus from working with him at Man City and Raphinha has looked really exciting for the last couple of years as well as breaking into the Brazil national team. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more teams than just Arsenal looking at him.”
There is already a very strong Brazilian contingent at the Emirates, with Edu pulling the strings in the background. Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes played with Raphinha while the two were in the youth set up at Brazilian side Avia, while 21-year-old forward Gabriel Martinelli has featured alongside Raphinha in Tite’s Brazil squad.
Mikel Arteta’s side have already signed 19-year-old star Marquinhos from Sao Paulo and have been serious in their interest for Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus - another pulling factor which the Gunners boss will hope is attractive for Raphinha.
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