How Edu Gasper ruined Spurs opportunity of signing one of the best Strikers in the world, a signing which could have made Harry Kane unknown
Arsenal’s soon-to-depart sporting director, Edu Gaspar, once thwarted a potential move of Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero to their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur by offering Guerrero a deal with promises of increased wages — though he ultimately failed to follow through on the promise.
Back in January 2013, well before Harry Kane’s rise to prominence, Tottenham was actively pursuing Guerrero, then a star striker for Brazilian club Corinthians. Having spent a significant 12-year stint in Germany’s Bundesliga, Guerrero was open to returning to European football, with Spurs presenting a solid offer. However, Edu, who was then Corinthians’ director of football and is now revered as an Arsenal icon, stepped in to prevent the transfer. He didn’t want to see one of South America’s top talents bolstering Tottenham’s attack. To keep Guerrero away from Arsenal’s local rivals, Edu assured the forward that he’d receive a new contract that would make him the “highest-paid footballer in South America.”
But Guerrero recalls that Edu’s enticing offer wasn’t upheld. Though he remained with Corinthians until 2015, he eventually left not for Europe, as he’d hoped, but for Brazilian rivals Flamengo. Speaking on the D&T program, Guerrero shared his perspective on the missed opportunity to join Tottenham and his frustrations over unfulfilled promises. “When I got to Corinthians, I thought to myself, ‘I’ll win the Club World Cup and then return to Europe.’ I had many offers to go back, and the last was from Tottenham — a loan-to-buy option,” Guerrero explained. “I took the proposal to Edu, and I said, ‘I have this, please.’ Edu’s response was: ‘You want me to be killed here? Relax, you’ll be the highest-paid footballer in South America.’”
Guerrero says that despite Edu’s assurances, the club’s actual offer fell short of what he felt he deserved. Reflecting on his career at the time, Guerrero shared, “I didn’t renew with Corinthians because the proposal they made me wasn’t within what I thought I deserved. I believed that because I was Peruvian, they weren’t valuing me.” Since leaving Corinthians, Guerrero, a former Bayern Munich star, never returned to European football, though he’s left an enduring legacy in South America. Now 40, Guerrero has accumulated an impressive 122 international caps for Peru and continues to play for Alianza Lima in his home country.
Tottenham, meanwhile, shifted focus after the Guerrero deal collapsed and went on to sign Spanish forward Roberto Soldado. While Soldado struggled to adjust to the Premier League, his difficulties inadvertently allowed Harry Kane to step into the spotlight, and by 2014, Kane began to establish himself as a star forward for Spurs.
Edu, for his part, eventually returned to Arsenal in July 2019 as the club’s first-ever technical director. Over the years, he played a critical role in reshaping the squad alongside head coach Mikel Arteta. Edu’s influence at Arsenal only grew following the departure of Raul Sanllehi, with the Brazilian taking on the expanded role of sporting director. Under his guidance, Arsenal secured pivotal signings such as Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz, helping reestablish the Gunners as title contenders.
However, on November 4, news broke of Edu’s unexpected decision to leave Arsenal. According to sources, his exit was not the result of any internal power struggle. Reports indicate that discussions had been ongoing within the club hierarchy, with the final details of Edu’s departure expected to emerge soon. His specific exit date remains unconfirmed, but it’s believed that Edu could be eyeing a role with Evangelos Marinakis’ club network, which includes Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos. Arsenal’s leadership, it’s reported, was caught off guard by Edu’s choice to depart, with no immediate successor lined up.
As Edu prepares to leave, Arsenal has unveiled their latest kit, a nostalgic throwback featuring an elegantly designed cannon over the heart of the shirt. Produced by Adidas, the new kit has been described as “clean and minimal,” blending Arsenal’s classic heritage with a modern touch. This design aims to connect with the club’s long-standing identity while embracing a contemporary aesthetic.