Arsenal have opened talks with two former players as they look to replace Edu as sporting director following the shock announcement he would be leaving The Emirates.

Edu’s exit was officially announced by the club on Monday following reports from David Ornstein that the former Arsenal player would be joining the Marinakis Group.

A source at The Independent claims Marinakis is ready to ‘triple’ Edu’s current salary and offer him the chance to become CEO, something he was unable to do at Arsenal.

The former Arsenal Invincible released the following statement via the club website: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.

“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history.

“It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim, and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.

“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s, and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.

“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best,” he concluded.

Unsurprisingly, work on hiring Edu’s replacement has already started down in North London with Footmercato reporting two former players are in consideration with one already in talks.

The report states Arsenal ‘appreciates the profiles’ of former stars Tomáš Rosický, 44, and Per Mertesacker, 40, and that discussions are already underway with Rosický.

Arsenal plans to evaluate both candidates before making a decision, but given Rosický’s current role as Sporting Director at Sparta Prague he may have the edge over his old teammate.

Rosický left Arsenal in 2016 after ten years at the club, while World Cup winner Mertesacker retired at The Emirates just two years later.