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Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar overruled manager Mikel Arteta when it came to deciding their main summer transfer signing.
Arteta favoured a move for yon playmaker Houssem Aroura, but Edu wanted to sign Thomas Partey from Atlético Madrid instead, and his views had the greater sway with the club hierarchy, with the Gunners triggering his £45 million release clause on transfer deadline day.
Negotiations with Aouar continued for weeks, but ultimately failed when Lyon refused to budge on their £50 million valuation of the player.
Edu has become increasingly powerful at the club following the departure of Head of Football Raul Sanllehi, and he is now the first point of contract for all transfer business. He has previously stressed the need for a simplified approach to transfers at the club, with fewer people involved, but wit greater responsibility.
Partey has since made three appearances for the Gunners in the centre of their midfield.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.