Edu Gaspar doesn’t usually get the credit he deserves at Arsenal.
The Brazilian joined the Gunners as the club’s technical director in the summer of 2019. Things weren’t easy for him at the start – he had to work really hard to get the club out of the mess they were in.
Edu has done a tremendous job over the years at Arsenal, and although Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of the praise for the success on the pitch, it wouldn’t have been possible without the club’s sporting director.
All eyes are now on what Edu will do on the transfer market in 2025, and one of his decisions on this summer’s transfer deadline day could hand Arsenal a huge profit next year.
Edu Gaspar’s Reiss Nelson transfer masterclass could give Arsenal a huge profit
Arsenal did a lot of good work with respect to outgoings in the summer.
Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares were loaned out, while Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah were sold for good money.
Edu deserves a lot of praise for the above deals, but there was one other that could prove to be a genius move in the coming months – Reiss Nelson’s loan move to Fulham.
The Englishman was available for a transfer all summer, but nothing materialised. However, on transfer deadline day, he became a wanted man.
Four clubs made a last-gasp move to sign Nelson in the final hours of the window. At one point, it looked like Nelson was on his way to Ipswich.
However, Edu then struck a deal with Fulham to send Nelson on a season-long loan deal, and that is proving to be a great decision.
The Hale End graduate made a fantastic impression on his debut and then scored in his first-ever start for the Lilywhites.
Nelson has become a bit of a fan favourite already, and if he can keep up these performances, Arsenal will surely get some good money if they decide to sell him in 2025.
Edu’s big Nelson gamble could pay off
Edu has had to take a few big risks at Arsenal in recent years.
One of them was when he tied down Nketiah to a lucrative contract when it seemed like the striker would leave the club on a free transfer. That led to some criticism at the time.
However, that gamble helped Arsenal make £30 million in pure profit when they sold Nketiah to Crystal Palace earlier this summer.
Edu took an identical risk with Nelson when he gave the winger a big contract. That, again, was met with criticism, but if things go to plan, Arsenal could make another £30 million or so in pure profit in 2025.
As we said earlier, Edu just doesn’t get enough credit – he deserves more praise from Arsenal fans.
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