Report: Arsenal make offer to 'very analytical and reflective' sporting director, he's happy with their proposal

Yesterday at 01:15 PM

Arsenal are currently in the process of looking for a new sporting director after Edu Gaspar stepped down from the role earlier this month.

The Gunners recently announced in an official statement that the 46-year-old called time on his two-year reign in the position, having initially returned to Arsenal as technical director in 2019.

The news reportedly came as a surprise for Arsenal as Highbury legend Paul Merson likened Edu’s departure to David Dein leaving the club. 

Edu is thought to have been lined up for a lucrative recruitment role in the network of teams spearheaded by Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos.

No fewer than six individuals are in the running to take over from Edu and, according to a report from the Basque Country, one is ‘very happy’ with Arsenal getting in touch with him.

READ MORE: Martin Keown says Arsenal have the second-best player in the Premier League in his position

Roberto Olabe welcomes Arsenal offer

The individual in question is Roberto Olabe, who will vacate his position as Real Sociedad’s director of football at the end of the season.

According to Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Arsenal are 'very interested' in Olabe’s services, and he welcomes the offer from the club, although for now his focus remains on Real Sociedad.

The newspaper covered Olabe’s imminent departure from the Liga club as he clarified that he is not leaving due to taking up another offer elsewhere.

According to their information, Olabe has a desire to take a break and enjoy more time with his family once he leaves La Real.

However, they report that there is an offer from Arsenal, and he views their proposal 'very favourably'.

Olabe is said to have a good working relationship with the Gunners, having worked with them when it came to deals for Mikel Merino and Kieran Tierney.

What Arsenal fans could expect from Olabe

The Athletic quotes one of Olabe’s former colleagues as saying: "Firstly, I'd like Roberto Olabe to stay many more years at La Real as he is doing great work there.

"To speak of Roberto Olabe is to speak of responsibility, hard work, dedication, determination and great quality on a professional and personal level.

He's always been a very analytical and reflective person. He knows the market well and looks after the youth system.

“Wherever he goes, he would have no problem, with his experience and capability."