Arsenal: Premier League rivals ‘fear’ raid to find Edu’s replacement, but two ‘valuable’ ex-Gunners ‘stand out’ the most

West Ham United reportedly fear Arsenal could decide to raid their Premier League rivals for technical director Tim Steidten.

Arsenal are looking for a new sporting director following Edu’s shock decision to leave the Premier League giants.

Edu played a huge role in Arsenal’s rapid rise under head coach Mikel Arteta, but left to become the global football boss of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also controls Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

The Gunners have a temporary successor And report from Telegraph claims Arsenal will have to wait before deciding how to replace Eda.

The report also claims that West Ham are “fearful” that Steidten is “in the running to replace Ed” but this is “surprising given recent struggles at the London Stadium and concerns about underperforming transfers.”

“Arsenal will take time before deciding to replace Edu. While the decision comes as a surprise, the club are adamant that it will not impact their operations as they already have a strong management team in place.

“There is little concern that the looming January transfer window will affect Arsenal’s plans and the club will be in a hurry, especially if they have to consider external candidates.”

READ: Seven transfers to Arsenal for Edu, who could have gone to Nottingham Forest, fell through for £106 million.

“That being said, it will take time to get someone out of a rival club if that is the way forward.

“It’s clear that if Arsenal or any other club made a loan offer for him, West Ham would still want him to stay.”

A move for Steidten is reported to be unlikely as Arsenal are eyeing two other candidates.

Report from Foot Mercato claims Arsenal are “intensifying” their search for Edu’s replacement, with former players Thomas Rosicky and Per Mertesacker named as possible targets.

Czech Republic international Rosicky made just 250 appearances for Arsenal during his ten years at the English club. After retiring, he returned to the children’s club Sparta Prague and has been their sports director since 2017.

Mertesacker retired from Arsenal and has been their academy manager since 2017. He also regularly appears as a pundit on German television.

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The report states.

“According to our latest information, Arsenal have also begun the recruitment process to find a rare gem and at the time of writing two names stand out.

“Indeed, the Gunners particularly appreciate the profiles of Thomas Rosicky (44) and Per Mertesacker (40), two former players of the club.

“If the former German defender pleases the London management, we can also inform you that negotiations have already begun with the former Czech attacking midfielder of the national team (105 matches, 23 goals). Now it remains to be seen who will be the lucky one…”