Arsenal have been dealt a blow in pursuit of a new sporting director as PSG advisor Luis Campos may not be part of the running, as he is happy at PSG.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Arsenal may have to consider trimming their shortlist of potential sporting directors and strike out the name of Luis Campos. The 60-year-old transfer guru is seemingly happy with his role and life at PSG, and while this is a blow for the Gunners, they do have other formidable names on their shortlist.
The appointment of a sporting director is more complicated than bringing in managers or players. There is a fundamental difference in how these operations work, as a sporting director usually has to go through a notice period before taking over another club.
Arsenal parted ways with influential man Edu Gaspar earlier in the season. He must also serve a lengthy notice before taking over a significant role in Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’s football group.
As per David Ornstein, on Thursday, Arsenal stepped up their process to appoint Edu’s replacement, with at least five names mentioned on the shortlist of candidates, including current interim director Jason Ayto. There were familiar names, such as former Manchester United director Dan Ashworth and former Atletico Madrid executive Andrea Berta.
Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe was also mentioned and has been linked before. However, one name that has gone missing from that link is that of 60-year-old transfer guru Luis Campos. The PSG advisor is one of the most reputed names in the market. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he is happy with his role and life in Paris.
No Luis Campos move for Arsenal
Luis Campos was linked earlier, and he has been a significant figure for PSG since 2022. While he has brought in some notable players into the club, the main focus has been transitioning from the departures of key stars like Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. In any case, he might extend his stay and take up a new role with PSG in the coming period, and there is no possibility of him taking over as Arsenal’s new sporting director.
This will have come as a significant blow to the Gunners’ efforts to appoint the best possible name as Edu’s successor. Arsenal will continue to do due diligence on the existing names they have considered, as a new appointment is widely expected to be made well before the season ends.
