Arsenal have reportedly made a significant move in their search for a new sporting director, with Paris Saint-Germain’s football advisor Luis Campos now at the top of their shortlist.
The Gunners have been on the hunt for Edu’s successor ever since the Brazilian handed in his resignation on November 4, ending a five-year tenure at the Emirates Stadium. Edu, who initially joined as technical director before being promoted to sporting director in 2022, had built a close relationship with manager Mikel Arteta. His departure, which took the football world by surprise, has left the club in need of a decisive replacement to continue the ambitious project at Arsenal.
Edu’s resignation caught many off guard, including Arteta, who has been instrumental in reshaping Arsenal’s squad into Premier League title contenders. With the club’s eyes firmly set on the future, the hunt for a new sporting director has become a priority. While Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe has been one of the names most frequently linked with the position, a new report now reveals that Arsenal have set their sights on Campos, with discussions reportedly underway.
Campos, who has previously built title-winning teams at Monaco and Lille, is highly regarded for his ability to identify talent and create competitive squads. His current role at PSG as football advisor is set to expire at the end of the season, and although the French club is eager to extend his contract, no agreement has yet been reached. This uncertainty has allowed Arsenal to enter the fray, exploring Campos’ potential availability to take over from Edu. According to Football Transfers, manager Mikel Arteta is said to be heavily involved in the decision-making process, with the Spaniard keen to have his say in the appointment of the new sporting director.
Campos’ track record speaks for itself. During his time at Monaco, he was instrumental in assembling the squad that won Ligue 1 in 2017, which included future stars like Kylian Mbappé and Bernardo Silva. Similarly, his work at Lille saw the French side lift the league title in 2021, with the likes of Burak Yılmaz and Jonathan David thriving under his guidance. His reputation as a master of player recruitment and squad building has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after sporting directors, and his potential move to Arsenal signals the club’s ambition to continue pushing for success at home and abroad.
With Arteta’s vision for the club becoming ever clearer, it’s no surprise that the manager would be keen on bringing in a figure like Campos, whose expertise in building competitive squads would align with the club’s long-term strategy. Arsenal have been steadily building a squad capable of challenging for major honours, and the appointment of a sporting director with a proven track record in the transfer market could be the next logical step in their evolution.
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But Campos’ arrival at the Emirates might not be the only significant development Arsenal fans can look forward to. According to reports, the first signing under his potential leadership could be Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian forward has been impressing in the Bundesliga, and with Arteta still on the lookout for a new centre-forward, Marmoush could provide the much-needed depth in Arsenal’s attacking options.
Marmoush, who has been in fine form for Frankfurt, has also attracted attention from Liverpool, as the Reds explore possible replacements for Mohamed Salah, who could leave at the end of his contract in 2025. However, former Manchester United scout Mick Brown believes that Arsenal could be in the driving seat to hijack any potential move for Marmoush. Brown noted that Marmoush’s recent performances have drawn interest from several top clubs, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Arsenal made a move for him as they look to bolster their forward line.
“Marmoush has been putting up the sort of numbers that attract attention,” Brown told Football Insider. “With clubs like Manchester City also keeping tabs on him, it’s clear that the interest is growing. Arsenal have been looking for a striker, and it’s possible they could make a move for him in the near future.”
Although it’s early days and Arsenal’s interest could still be in the exploratory phase, the potential signing of Marmoush could be a smart move for the Gunners. With the team’s attack still in need of a clinical forward to complement their creative midfielders, Marmoush could fit the bill. The 25-year-old has shown his ability to play across the front line, and his versatility would be an asset to Arteta’s tactical setup.
The fact that Arsenal are already making moves to secure Marmoush as their first signing under the new sporting director is an indication of their intent. If Campos does take up the role, it would be his first major signing for the club, and it could set the tone for the kind of players Arsenal are looking to bring in moving forward. With a new sporting director at the helm and Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal could soon be on the lookout for even more players who fit the club’s attacking philosophy.
Looking at the bigger picture, Arsenal’s pursuit of Campos and potential signing of Marmoush represents a new phase in their journey. The Gunners are no longer just a club in transition; they are a team with serious ambitions of competing at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. To achieve these goals, having the right footballing structure in place is essential, and appointing someone of Campos’ caliber could be the key to Arsenal’s continued rise.
The question now is whether Campos will take the reins as Arsenal’s new sporting director, and whether Marmoush will be the first piece of the puzzle in what could be an exciting new era for the club. If Arsenal can secure both, they could find themselves in an even stronger position to challenge for major trophies in the coming seasons. The future at the Emirates is looking bright, and with the right leadership in place, Arsenal fans can be hopeful of even greater success.