Fresh twist in Arsenal sporting director hunt as Edu Gaspar replacement handed January transfer chance

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Arsenal’s search for their next sporting director is beginning to hot up, with a number of potential candidates being linked with the job.

Edu Gaspar announced his shock departure back in November, and reports have since surfaced that have revealed why the Brazilian has chosen to leave the North London club.

It’s said that Edu was unhappy with Arteta’s increasing power within London Colney, prompting his exit from N5.

While Edu’s spell in the Emirates hot-seat came with ups and downs, there’s no doubt that his role was incredibly important in regard to the day-to-day operations at the club, and thus a replacement will be needed imminently.

It’s been suggested that former player Tomas Rosicky could be appointed as sporting director, although conflicting reports have now emerged indicating that another candidate could be primed to replace Edu.

Jason Ayto has ‘growing internal support’ to become Arsenal’s next sporting director

Several names have been linked with the vacancy, most of whom aren’t currently employed by Arsenal.

The likes of the aforementioned Rosicky, as well as Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe and Monaco’s Thiago Scuro have been touted as potential options.

However, Arsenal may well end up opting for one of their own, with Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel reporting that Jason Ayto has ‘growing internal support’ to become Edu’s successor.

Ayto is currently the Gunners’ acting sporting director, and the club’s owners are understood to have been impressed with his work in this interim role.

Viewed as a genuine contender for the vacancy, the sporting director position would represent the natural career progression move for Ayto.

Starting his career at Arsenal as a scout, the now 39-year-old has been at the club for a decade, rising to prominence under Edu, and eventually stepping in for the football administrator after his departure.

Hungry to progress his career, Arsenal may ultimately feel Ayto is the perfect man for the job, with his combination of understanding the game and knowing the club meaning his permanent appointment would be a seamless transition from Edu.

Ayto has chance to impress at Arsenal in January

In the role already, albeit on an interim basis, Ayto is effectively undergoing his audition right now.

He has the month of January to demonstrate his expertise and capabilities in the transfer market.

The Gunners are in desperate need of offensive reinforcements, and Stan Kroenke may ultimately judge him on whether he’s able to solve this issue successfully.

Nico Williams is a target for Arsenal, while the likes of Alexander Isak and Matheus Cunha continue to be linked with a switch to North London.

Acquire any of these three for a reasonable price, and Ayto will surely be in the driving seat to become the club’s full-time sporting director moving forward.