Edu left Arsenal £30m transfer parting gift as Mikel Arteta gets dream bargain signing
Edu 'completed the groundwork' on a proposed £30million transfer for Brazilian talent Igor Jesus before leaving his role as Arsenal sporting director in November.
The 46-year-old returned to the Gunners as technical director in summer 2019 before being promoted to sporting director in November 2022. Edu played for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005 and won two Premier League titles during his time in north London, with one coming as part of the 'Invincibles' team of 2003/04.
Speaking after his departure was confirmed, Edu said: "This was an incredibly hard decision to make. Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best."
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However, before Edu exited the Emirates, he did the behind-the-scenes work on setting up a future transfer. According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, speaking on Curtis Shaw TV, Edu did the groundwork on a potential deal for Jesus before leaving Arsenal. It could be the perfect parting gift for Mikel Arteta.
Jesus joined Botafogo last summer after a four-year spell in the UAE Pro League for Shabab Al-Ahli, where he scored 43 goals in 88 appearances. The 23-year-old scored five times in 22 matches for Botafogo in their 2024 season. It's claimed the Brazilian club value Jesus at around £30m.
If Jesus made the switch to Arsenal, he would boost their forward line. Gabriel Jesus is out for the long term with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, and the Gunners are looking to strengthen that position this month. Kai Havertz's struggles in front of goal have also increased their need to add.
Arsenal are yet to make a transfer this month, and Arteta was asked whether he was enjoying the final weeks of the January window. "I love it," the Spaniard said on Wednesday.
"No, I understand it [the transfer speculation] happens in the summer. I get a lot of people texting me, 'Are you after him?' and sometimes I don't even know what they are talking about. I don't follow it too much, I have enough work to do with other things so I don't get too distracted with it."