Arsenal are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s Simon Rolfes as a potential successor to Edu Gaspar, following the Brazilian’s departure as sporting director. With Rolfes’ transformative impact at Leverkusen, including guiding them to their first-ever Bundesliga title, his appointment could be the catalyst Arsenal need to dominate both the Premier League and Europe.
The Arsenal hierarchy was recently rocked with the news that sporting director Edu Gaspar has decided to leave the club after five years at the helm. Now, as the Gunners look to move forward, reports from the Daily Mail suggest Bayer Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes could be on their radar.
Edu’s stint came to an end and the Brazilian will now be working with Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos as owner Evangelos Marinakis continues his recruitment spree. Over at the Emirates Stadium, the club’s hierarchy will be tasked with finding someone to replace Edu.
The report adds that Arsenal executives are set to meet up in Los Angeles to discuss the potential candidates for the sporting director role. The club will look to move quickly and decisively to recruit somebody to guide them with transfer strategy with the January window just a few weeks away.
Can Arsenal hire Edu’s replacement in time for the January transfer window?
As the search for the next person to be sporting director intensifies, Arsenal have identified three targets for the role. While Rolfes seems to be the primary target, others on the list are AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro and West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten. Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe could also be a potential candidate.
At the moment, Edu’s former assistant Jason Ayto is deputising for the Brazilian while the hierarchy continues their search for a replacement. Simon Rolfes seems to be leading this race after he has achieved big things during his time as managing director of sport with Leverkusen.
The German side won the Bundesliga for the first time in their 120-year history last season, and have become a force to be reckoned with in European football. They were unbeaten in their victorious title run and also made it to the final of the Europa League – two achievements that have majorly impressed Arsenal.
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After two years in charge at Leverkusen, Rolfes may be tempted to make the switch to north London.
