Roberto Olabe’s potential arrival & what it could mean for the club

According to French media outlet Foot Mercato, Arsenal are progressing in talks with Roberto Olabe as Edu's replacement for the sporting director role.
 

Real Sociedad's director of football is rumoured to choose Arsenal over several other European clubs as he is fully convinced by the club's project.

As revealed by The Athletic last month, the 57-year-old Spaniard is set to leave Real Sociedad at the end of the season. Olabe reportedly feels that his work in the Basque region is complete and that the club is moving in the right direction.

During Olabe's impressive tenure, the club won the Copa del Rey (their first major trophy in over 30 years) in 2021 and reached the Champions League knockout stages in 2023/24.

The Spaniard was also a key figure behind Mikel Merino's transfer to Arsenal last summer and Alexander Isak's move to Newcastle United in August 2022.

What could it mean for Arsenal?

As Daily Arsenal reported, Arsenal hold a firm interest in Isak. The Sweden international is also determined to join Arsenal, and with Olabe's potential arrival as a sporting director, the Gunners could have a huge chance to secure their long-term target ahead of the rest of the rival bidders next summer.

Furthermore, Arsenal could benefit from Olabe's philosophy, vision and his excellent talent ID since he was a fundamental part of arrivals of Martin Ødegaard, David Silva, Takefusa Kubo, and the previously mentioned Merino and Isak to San Sebastian.

Not only was he able to persuade those players to join Real Sociedad's project, but he also got them for very reasonable fees, from which the club later on profited.

With regard to Arsenal, who struggled with selling their players in the past, Olabe's negotiating skills could improve Arsenal's income and the Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) in the future.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta previously expressed his strong relationship and connection with Edu and how the pair shared the same vision. Considering the fact that Olabe signed Arteta 15 years ago for Real Sociedad, the two certainly know each other, which might ease the process.

Olabe's work speaks for itself and his appointment would strengthen Arsenal's position on the market and open new opportunities abroad thanks to his connections, however as the club indicated, they will patiently look into all alternatives.