Italian director was snubbed by Arsenal this summer, now he’s set to work alongside Edu

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal landed Andrea Berta over the summer, but they chose not to bring another Italian into the club’s transfer business.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal’s summer business looks pretty good right now.

Martin Zubimendi arrived from Real Sociedad, Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting and Eberechi Eze completed an emotional move to his boyhood club.

Add in Piero Hincapie’s deadline day move, and Arsenal can be delighted with Andrea Berta’s first window at the club.

• READ MORE: Every Premier League transfer signing and exit for the 2025 summer window

Matteo Tognozzi set for new job after Arsenal snub

Berta joined Arsenal after leaving Atletico Madrid, and he certainly appears to have had a positive impact at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal brought in a number of proven players and look to be in a strong position for a Premier League title charge.

The Gunners considered bringing in another Italian to work alongside Berta, with Matteo Tognozzi targeted.

The Athletic report that Arsenal did hold talks with Tognozzi, but decided against appointing him as technical director.

Arsenal fans were excited about Tognozzi, only for the Gunners to decide to go in another direction.

James Ellis stepped up instead, and Tognozzi is now set for a new move after missing out on the Arsenal role.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Tognozzi has now agreed to join Portuguese side Rio Ave as a director.

Rio Ave are owned by Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis, and Tognozzi will now take on a major role in the project.

Rio Ave sit 15th in Portugal’s top flight and are yet to win a game this season, drawing three times and losing once.

• READ MORE: Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and more in top ten most expensive Premier League signings

Matteo Tognozzi to work alongside ex-Arsenal man Edu

Intriguingly, the move also means that Tognozzi will join forces with Edu, who left Arsenal to take on the role of global head of football under Marinakis.

Edu oversees activity at Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave, and is looking to take all three clubs forward this season.

Forest just hired Ange Postecoglou as their new manager in a bold move, and Edu is now hoping to see Tognozzi make a big impact with Rio Ave.

Perhaps Tognozzi can work his way up to Olympiacos or Forest down the line, but the door seems firmly closed on a move to Arsenal.