Dramatic Edu twist as Nottingham Forest issues surprise update

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Edu’s Nottingham Forest status, if he even has one, remains a mystery despite his well-documented appearance in the crowd against Everton.

Edu was spotted at the City Ground as Forest lost to Everton in their last Premier League fixture, coming conveniently after the Brazilian sporting director had finished his gardening leave at Arsenal.

After Edu posted a farewell message to Arsenal fans, it seemed fairly certain that his long-rumoured role alongside Evangelos Marinakis would finally be given some clarity, especially given that even Nuno Espirito Santo had praised Edu back in November.

However, according to a fresh report, it once again looks like Forest fans will be left confused about the 46-year-old’s connection to their club.

Edu hasn’t yet signed a contract with Nottingham Forest

Ever since his departure from Arsenal, Marinakis has been in contact with Edu for a role of some sort in his football empire, whether specifically at Forest or as a wider consultant.

According to The Athletic, though, this contact has yet to materialise into a concrete agreement with the Forest owner.

The report said: “Forest told The Athletic that Edu was not yet an employee of the group. They said that no contract or agreement had been reached.

“If Edu does join Forest, he is expected to officially start work in the summer, in what will effectively be a global director of football role, spanning the three clubs in the Marinakis stable, which includes Olympiacos [Greece] and Rio Ave [Portugal].”

It is also expected that Edu will help Marinakis purchase a Brazilian club should a deal be agreed for him to start working in the summer. Alongside this wider role, though, the report also suggested an area of Edu’s Arsenal experience that could be of significant help to Forest.

Edu could help transform Nottingham Forest’s academy fortunes

The report continued as Edu’s impact at Arsenal was explored further, with a nod to his work in the highly successful Gunners academy.

It said: “He was also involved in the running of the academy at Arsenal. […] If Forest’s first team secure their own path into Europe, the youth production line will be as important as ever, with Champions League squads required to include four homegrown players who have come through the ranks at the club.

“Increasing the first-team players produced by the academy may be an area where Edu could have an impact.”

Currently, the Forest Academy is only truly represented by Ryan Yates in the first team, with the likes of Zach Abbott around the Forest squad but not yet regularly involved on a matchday.

If Edu could turn the Nigel Doughty Academy into a more impactful and even profitable asset for the first team, his value to Marinakis would be enhanced even more than his work in the transfer market or as part of the wider footballing group.