Arsenal sporting director Edu has decided to leave the club.

The Brazilian’s departure follows interest in him for a role at Evangelos Marinakis’ clubs.

This currently includes Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave – and possibly a fourth club to buy in Europe in the future.

However, it is still unclear whether Edu has agreed to join the group.

Sky Sports News understands that Edu’s decision has taken Arsenal by surprise.

The sporting director had been away to Brazil on personal matters and returned at the end of last week.

The 46-year-old has a strong bond with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, with whom he has turned Arsenal into title contenders.

When the manager signed a new contract in September, Edu had outlined their new long-term ambitions. There were no signs that he was considering resigning from office.

Edu joined Arsenal in July 2019 as technical director before becoming the club’s first-ever sporting director in November 2022.

The former Gunners midfielder was responsible for the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, while helping the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.

Since Edu joined the club, Arsenal have spent £867 million (only Chelsea and Manchester United have spent more in that period) and won the FA Cup, while finishing runners-up in the last two Premier League seasons.

‘Edu wants more power during Arsenal reshuffle’

Miguel Delaney, That of the Independents head football writer, told Sky Sports News:

“There have been a few hints about not necessarily a power struggle at Arsenal but a realignment in the dynamics and people are speculating about whether that influenced that decision.

“I think part of it is that Edu wants more power somewhere, and the Marinakis group is willing to offer him that power.”

On the consequences for Arteta: “I’m not sure this will be too much, given the dynamics at Arsenal are changing.

“I also think Arteta has risen from head coach to full-time manager, with much more control and influence over signings.

“But it was relatively abrupt in terms of how quickly Edu’s departure happened and Arsenal will want to get their succession right.”