Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar may have made a big mistake this summer.
The Brazilian has been instrumental in the Gunners’ rebuild under Mikel Arteta over the last four-and-a-half years. He is one of the biggest reasons why Arsenal are where they are today.
However, like everyone else, there are a few things Edu has got wrong in recent seasons, and one of them this summer has put him in the firing line.
Arsenal rejected multiple offers from Marseille for Eddie Nketiah this summer, the last of which was worth £23 million (€27m), according to Fabrizio Romano on X.
That appeared to be the right decision after Bournemouth joined the race to sign Nketiah, but there is a big problem now.
The Gunners’ hopes of selling their number 14 to the Cherries are all but over after Bournemouth chose to sign Evanilson instead of Nketiah.
Arsenal fans rage at Edu Gaspar after Eddie Nketiah decision backfires
Many Arsenal fans are fuming at Edu because they feel the Gunners sporting director should’ve cashed in on Nketiah when Marseille came calling.
Gooners believe Arsenal’s hopes of selling the Englishman are now dead after Bournemouth decided to go down a different route.
Another wrote: “We’re stuck with Nketiah for another season cos Edu can’t do his job!”
“Edu tried to play hardball, now Nketiah is never leaving Arsenal,” said another.
Another Arsenal fan said: “Why on earth did Edu turn down £23 million for Nketiah?! I bet you they sell him for less!”
“Another season stuck with Eddie Nketiah on £100k-a-week. Edu should be sacked for this alone. This transfer window has been absolutely shambolic,” wrote another fan on X.
Another Gooner said: “Edu has bottled the Nketiah sale!”
Two Premier League clubs remain keen to sign Nketiah
The transfer window shuts in less than two weeks, and Arsenal are running out of time.
It is clear as day that Nketiah is surplus to requirements at the Emirates. He is below Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and even Leandro Trossard in Arteta’s pecking order.
Bournemouth seemed like the right club for Nketiah, but the Cherries have now decided to sign Evanilson from Porto instead in this window.
Now, Arsenal’s hope of selling their number 14 depends on two clubs.
Reports have claimed that Everton remain interested in signing Nketiah and could bid for him if they manage to get rid of Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the window shuts.
Football London claim that Crystal Palace are also interested in signing Nketiah this summer.
That gives Arsenal a bit of hope in what’s left of the window, but whether either Everton or Palace would be willing to meet Edu’s demands remains to be seen.
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