Arsenal have already got £645m transfer hint as Edu replacement 'named'

Arsenal's work in the transfer market has played a huge role in their transformation from top-four hopefuls into genuine Premier League title contenders. So when Edu announced his resignation from the club earlier this month, fans were right to be concerned about the search for his successor.

The role of a sporting director has become an almost public facing role, tasked with overseeing not just transfers, but the development of the club from top to bottom. Edu did a superb job during his time at the Emirates and boasts a strong relationship with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

With assistant sporting director Jason Ayto stepping into Edu's role in the short-term while Arsenal search for a successor, there's no need to rush an appointment. There have already been some big names linked with the vacant position, with PSG transfer advisor Luis Campos the latest to be linked with the Gunners.

The Portuguese chief is out of contract with the Ligue 1 club this summer, prompting links with the vacant sporting director role at Arsenal. It's a role he's excelled in previously at AS Monaco and Lille. The 60-year-old was the man tasked with wheeling and dealing in the transfer market at both French clubs, while also helping both clubs' respective academy talents.

Kylian Mbappe is the crown jewel in Campos' crown. Now one of the best players in the world, Campos convinced Mbappe to stay at AS Monaco when coming through the academy set-up, becoming an important part of their Ligue 1 title winning side in 2016-17.

It was during his time in Monaco where Campos announced himself on the European scene. Signing the likes of Fabinho, Bernardo Silva, James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Anthony Martial, Thomas Lemar, Tiemoue Bakayoko and others on the 'cheap' before selling them on for huge transfer profits.

The Ligue 1 club reached the Champions League semi-final before Campos departed for Lille in 2017. If his spell with Monaco was impressive, his stint at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy was nothing short of sensational.

Having knocked PSG off their lofty perch with Monaco, Campos built the foundations for Lille's title winning side in 2020-21 with some brilliant work in the transfer market. Again with a limited budget, he signed Rafael Leao, Victor Osimhen and Nicholas Pepe before selling them on for major profit.

If you can't beat them, join them. That's exactly what PSG did when they convinced Campos to move to the Parc des Princes in 2022.

Tasked with transforming their recruitment model, Campos has shifted away from signing players at their peak and signed younger, upcoming talent. That being said, it hasn't necessarily been as effective as his previous two positions.

Since the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign PSG have spent £645million, with some supporters claiming the club has gone backwards. That's not to say all of those signings have flopped, nor has every signing been a hit but Arsenal cannot afford to go backwards with the Premier League a more ruthless environment than Ligue 1.

PSG have spent big money on Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt, spending £79.2m in 2023, and Goncalo Ramos from Benfica for £54.2m in the same window. PSG have spent big, but the signings haven't necessarily justified their hefty price tags.

The signings of Nordi Mukiele and Carlos Soler have also not worked out, while Renato Sanches - who impressed at Lille under Campos' watch - has struggled since his move to Paris. All three are currently on loan away from the club having struggled to break into the side.

Campos agreed to sign Hugo Ekitike on an obligation to buy, but the young French forward failed to live up to the hype and fell out of favour. He's now on loan with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

The transfer chief finds himself under pressure, with PSG still searching for that elusive Champions League title and if they miss out again this season, he may find himself leaving the club. His contract is up in the summer and Campos may fancy a fresh challenge having spent over a decade in France.

Which is why links to Arsenal make sense, but therein lies a warning. Unlike PSG, there's no immediate pressure to win the Champions League - though it certainly wouldn't go amiss. Winning a Premier League title with the Gunners would be his first task should he move to Emirates.

Arsenal don't have the same amount of money available to them as PSG, but the North London club will have money to spend. If Campos can work his magic like his stints at Lille and Monaco, the Gunners could be onto a huge winner.

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