Edu Gaspar’s shock departure from Arsenal in November had a lot of fans in N5 worried that the club wouldn’t be able to attack the January transfer window.
In reality, Arsenal were unlikely to be busy in January regardless of Edu being at the club or not.
Both Edu and Mikel Arteta have preferred to conduct the bulk of their serious business in the summer, the mid-season window has predominantly been used for more low-key additions.
Arsenal are hunting for a new sporting director, but Edu’s responsibilities have already been delegated around the club – the Gunners are fine to press on next month if they want to.
In truth, Arsenal may not end up replacing Edu at all, something that should comfort the club’s supporters, rather than causing concern.
Arsenal interested in bringing AC Milan star Rafael Leao to the Emirates
That being said, according to Football Transfers, Arsenal’s current team have begun working on the kind of signing that fans have been waiting for Edu to deliver for years.
According to the report, Arsenal have approached the agents of AC Milan star Rafael Leao regarding a potential move in 2025.
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Arsenal’s initial contact with Leao was informal and was intended to find out whether the £150m-rated winger would be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Leao replied by saying that he is ‘fully focused’ on the current season at Milan – he ruled out a move in January.
Therefore, further discussions would be needed next summer in order for Arsenal to be encouraged to make a move.
Leao signed a new long-term contract in 2023 with Milan, meaning any move by Arsenal would be difficult, but the club do seem to be gearing up for landmark signing after a succession of low-key windows.
Rafael Leao has already shared his thoughts on life in England
Speaking in an interview last year, Leao actually shared his thoughts on life in England when he was in London to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.
Leao spoke very glowingly about life back home in Italy before making an amusing comment about the weather in London, a potential stumbling block for the Portugal international.
Leao simply said: “I don’t like the weather there, I went shopping the first time I went to London.”
Arsenal won’t be able to do much to fix the English weather by 2025, but perhaps they can engineer the club to be well-positioned to sign one of the world’s best players.
In the here and now, three players might leave Arsenal in January, a clear-out which could preclude big investment next summer.
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