Arsenal poach Real Madrid chief as Edu sets clear transfer strategy
Arsenal look set to bring highly-regarded Real Madrid scout Paulo Xavier to the club. Sporting director Edu Gaspar is continuing to help build the club's scouting department to support the Gunners' strategy in the transfer market.
According to The Athletic, Xavier has left his role as Real Madrid’s Latin America scout to join Arsenal. The report adds that Xavier had been in his post at Madrid since September 2017, but his new job with the Premier League side has already begun.
His new role at the Emirates Stadium will see him conduct his work in South America with two other club scouts. Xavier was a key member of chief scout Juni Calafat’s team at Madrid.
The Athletic's report adds that Xavier is expected to announce his new role in the coming days. The former Real scout worked at the Brazilian Football Conferation (CBF) between 2015 and 2017 with Edu.
The Arsenal sporting director is responsible for Xavier's appointment at the north London club, with Xavier set to return to working with a Premier League club after he had a short spell at Manchester United in 2017 before joining Madrid.
Arsenal have took advantage of the South American market in recent seasons, signing Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in 2019 and Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in 2022. The Gunners have been linked with moves for the likes of Endrick — who is set to join Madrid next summer — and Gabriel Moscardo in recent weeks.
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It's clear that Edu and Arsenal are keen to continue uncovering exciting talents from South America in an effort to see the Gunners sign the best
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