Mikel Arteta hopes Arsenal technical director Edu stays at the Emirates Stadium “for a long time” amid rumours he could leave.
A report in the Daily Mail claimed on Tuesday that the Brazilian was the subject of ‘concrete interest’ from ‘at least two European clubs’.
Edu’s reputation within the game has been growing after Arsenal impressing everyone with their recruitment over the last two summer transfer windows.
The signings of Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and others over the last couple of seasons have helped catapult Arsenal into contention for the Premier League title this season.
The Daily Mail added that Arsenal have ‘moved to secure’ Edu’s future at the club by making it clear that they want their former midfielder to sign a new contract.
It is claimed that ‘the wheels are in motion towards a new deal for the Edu, which Arsenal hope will secure his long-term future amid growing interest in their technical director’.
And Arsenal boss Arteta insists Edu’s role at the club is “really important” and the Spaniard would love to see him remain for “a long time”.
“I just hope he stays here for a long time because I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for the club,” Arteta told reporters.
“I work with him really well, I think he’s a super important figure at the club who represents all the values and ideas that we want, to do everything in the right way, and hopefully that will be the case.
“There is a lot happening in a football club and he has a huge role and he has a really good way of communicating with people and managing a lot of things that happen daily. For me and for the team he is really important.
“It has to build that relationship. It has to be very well respected, the roles have to be very clear, you have to share the same ideas.
“But at the same time you have to be challenged by each other because sometimes coaches we have all the ideas and we want something right now that is not the best thing for the club and we have the right balance, not only with Edu but with Vinai [Venkatesham] and with Rich [Garlick] and with the ownership.
“It’s really important. We make a decision, it’s all together it’s not your decision or my idea. It’s important in good and difficult moments as well to be together.”
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