£645m transfers, Mbappe reality - Arsenal get expert Luis Campos verdict amid Edu replacement hunt

Arsenal have been linked with a number of high profile sporting directors ever since the club announced current transfer chief Edu would be leaving his role after five years back at the Emirates Stadium.

Current deputy Jason Ayto has stepped into the void in the short-term - with the Gunners hierarchy also holding talks in the United States in the international break. Arsenal chiefs met to discuss Edu's potential replacement and transfer plans ahead of the upcoming January window.

Among those linked with the vacant position is Paris Saint Germain's football advisor Luis Campos. The Portuguese transfer chief has been at the Ligue 1 club since 2022 having enjoyed previous success at AS Monaco and Lille.

The 60-year-old served as sporting director at those clubs, helping them knock PSG off their perch and win Ligue 1 titles at both clubs. He's highly regarded across Europe for his ability to wheel and deal in the transfer market, while helping instil a new ethos.

Since his arrival at PSG, the Ligue 1 club have spent around £645million in transfers - according to Transfermarkt - while reducing the average age of their squad. Campos' contract with the French champions expires at the end of the current campaign, potentially strengthening those links to the Emirates Stadium.

football.london spoke with Luca Demange - of CulturePSG - for an insight into Campos' tenure at the Parc des Princes and whether or not a move to Arsenal is a feasible option.

"Luis Campos' performance has been very divisive since he arrived at PSG," Demange said. "The team has become much younger, which is something often associated with his involvement in a club's management.

"He has proven his ability to oversee solid transfers by securing players like Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, and more recently Joao Neves. However, not everything is positive when looking at the players he has signed. Examples such as Milan Skriniar, Manuel Ugarte, Hugo Ekitike, Randal Kolo Muani, Carlos Soler, Renato Sanches or Nordi Mukiele highlight a mixed track record.

"Moreover, many supporters expected him to ensure Kylian Mbappe's contract extension at PSG, but he failed to prevent his free transfer to Real Madrid.

"I believe his previous experiences at Lille and Monaco are hardly comparable to his time at PSG. At Lille and Monaco, while there were many positive outcomes, there were also failures in the transfer market.

"I recall a photo at Monaco showcasing a dozen summer signings, many of whom have now faded into obscurity. At PSG, Campos represents a shift in the club's policy.

"It's a long-term project, which is relatively new for Paris, where the focus in recent years has often been on signing stars or big names for immediate results."

Arsenal themselves are in an entirely different position to AS Monaco, Lille and PSG. The Gunners are in search of a Premier League title, but have more money at their disposal compared to the two former clubs.

PSG, on the other hand, have had plenty of success domestically and have their eyes set on the Champions League. Though they bare similarities to Arsenal, Les Parisiens are much further ahead in terms of their project.

"On paper, his contract ends next June, so it's theoretically a possibility," Demange revealed. "However, since Luis Enrique's arrival as PSG head coach, there has been much talk about their partnership, which seems to be working well.

"The two are closely collaborating. Luis Enrique is very close to signing a contract extension (French media even claim it's already done), which might suggest the club also plans to extend Luis Campos' contract or continue their partnership.

"His role at PSG is different, because he isn't here to do exactly the same job. At Lille and Monaco, he was highly praised for his ability to scout unknown talents and sell them for tens of millions of euros a few years later.

"His success in "player trading" isn't what PSG requires. It's not the priority. At PSG, players are expected to have an immediate impact.

"They need to adapt quickly to help the club achieve its goals, including winning domestic trophies and performing well in the Champions League. In this sense, his "main" skill is less valued."