Edu REJECTED improved Arsenal offer in order to leave and join forces with Nottingham Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis

The Gunners sporting director is all set to leave his role after spending five years at Emirates Stadium to team up with Forest owner Marinakis. Per the latest reports, the Brazilian will see a major leap in his career as he will now lead the recruitment of all three clubs in the portfolio of the Marinakis group, including Olympiacos and Portugal's Rio Ave.

Now the Daily Mail reports that the Gunners tried their best to retain the services of Edu and they had even planned to provide him a new and improved contract offer which would have seen him given a substantial pay rise. However, the Brazilian reportedly wanted a bigger and more global role which the Forest owners are offering him.

Edu, who had spent four years at Arsenal as a player and was an important part of the 'Invincibles', recently explained his shock decision to exit the club as he stated that he wanted a different challenge in his professional career.

Mikel Arteta's side have struggled for form since the start of October as they managed to win just one Premier League game in their last four outings. They will be next seen in action on Wednesday against Inter in a Champions League fixture.