Arsenal aiming to appoint new sporting director before end of 2024-25 season with axed Man Utd chief Dan Ashworth in frame to replace Edu Gaspar

According to The Athletic, the Gunners are working behind the scenes to finalise their new sporting director as they aim to appoint a new executive before the current campaign ends. The sporting director position was left vacant by former Arsenal and Brazilian midfielder Edu Gaspar, who tendered his resignation in November 2024. Edu's deputy Jason Ayto was then promoted to the role on an interim basis.

Arsenal have prepared a shortlist of candidates, which includes former Manchester United chief Dan Ashworth. The 53-year-old was removed from United's sporting director role by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group just five months after being brought in from Newcastle United in the summer. The other notable names in the shortlist are Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro. PSG's Luis Campos was also linked with the job but The Athletic claims that the Portuguese executive is not in the frame.

Edu joined the north London side as their first-ever technical director in 2019 and was instrumental in hiring current manager Mikel Arteta. In 2022, the Brazilian was promoted to the sporting director role.

Mikel Arteta's side will be back in action next Tuesday as they host PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions round of 16 fixture in the Netherlands.