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Arsenal ‘identify’ Edu replacement as Bayer Leverkusen chief targeted after invincible season

isaac johnson
·2-min read
Bayer Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes
-Credit: (Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)


Arsenal are reportedly chasing Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes in their hunt to fund a successor to Edu.

The Brazilian unexpectedly left his role as sporting director earlier this month, ending his five-year return to the club. His exit was a huge blow to Mikel Arteta given his track record in the transfer market, having recruited the likes of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

But the Daily Mail says Rolfes is being framed as a potential natural replacement akin to Edu given his work at Bayer Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga without losing a single match last season and were one game away from completing an unbeaten treble.

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The 42-year-old - who earned 26 caps for Germany - was promoted to managing director in 2022 after four years as sporting director, having initially started out as academy chief. Since this promotion, he has overseen several significant signings, including head coach Xabi Alonso himself.

In the summer of 2023, Leverkusen recruited the likes of Burnley ace Nathan Tella, star striker Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka from Arsenal. All three were crucial to Leverkusen’s title success last season.

Rolfes has also been credited with convincing Alonso to stay at the club for this campaign, despite strong links with Liverpool over the summer. Reports elsewhere suggest Alonso will leave next summer, possibly for Real Madrid, which could make Rolfes more inclined to exit Leverkusen himself.

Rolfes’ work behind the scenes at the German champions is said to have impressed Arsenal chiefs, who are reportedly set to meet this week to draw up a full list of potential targets. Other names that are admired reputedly include Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe, West Ham’s Tim Steidten and Thiago Scuro of AS Monaco.