The noise in Brazil over Nottingham Forest's sudden break with Edu Gaspar continues, and fresh details suggest the situation surrounding the former Arsenal executive has been developing for some time before it became public.
according to espn brazil According to journalist Pedro Ivo Almeida, negotiations were already taking place behind the scenes on Edu's exit from Marinakis Football Group. The process ultimately spilled over into the news cycle this week, with reports that he was barred from entering the club's training centre.
Almeida said people close to Adu were surprised by how publicly the story unfolded.
"He was surprised yesterday when he saw reports that he had been banned from the training centre." The journalist said. "But people close to him say this had been happening for a few days."
Situation inside the Marinakis Group
Edu was working as a senior football figure within Evangelos Marinakis' multi-club structure, which includes Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave. However, the relationships inside that structure appear to be complex.
According to Almeida, the decision to part ways came after internal discussions between Edu and the Greek owner.
"He talked to people from the Marinakis side and thought it was the right time to break that relationship," the ESPN reporter said.
Part of the tension reportedly arose from the balance of power within the group. Edu is known to prefer strong autonomy when running the football department, while Marinakis is a highly active owner.
"He's a person with personality," Almeida explained. "He likes the freedom he has to run the department. Marinakis is someone who is very visible in the process."
After about a year in the structure, results did not come as expected and pressure on the position increased. Edu then began negotiating the terms of his exit.
That process is not simple. According to the report, the separation involves several entities inside the Marinakis group, including Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave, meaning the final paperwork could take time.
Furthermore, to make matters worse, ESPN says it is under pressure to resign itself, so Marinakis will not have to get paid what he is owed. And this had happened before also.
Spaniard Antonio Cordon and Portuguese Pedro Alves are also sidelined by Marinakis under contract between 2022 and 2024. In the latter case, the dispute is pending in court.
Alves resigned from Olympiacos and shortly thereafter filed a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to receive the full amount of his expired contract.
The market situation is still unclear
Despite noises about Flamengo's interest, Edu's move after Nottingham Forest remains uncertain.
Almeida says there is no guarantee the former Arsenal sporting director is ready to return to Brazil at this stage of his career. Although options are available, the 47-year-old still sees opportunities in Europe.
"People around Edu have no certainty that he wants to return to Brazil right now," The journalist said.
Family relationships may eventually hold him back. However, Edu also knows that his experience at Arsenal and in the European market keeps his profile attractive to clubs across the continent.
"He understands there is still a market for him in Europe," Almeida added.
As a result, any decision regarding his future may depend on what opportunities first arise in the coming months.
Flamengo's interest and relationship with the president
One of the clubs currently assessing the situation is Flamengo, As we covered earlier. However, the Brazilian side's interest did not start this week.
According to Almeida, Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista (known as 'Bap') met Edu in person during the Intercontinental Cup in Doha late last year.
"Father met Edu personally in Doha late last year," The journalist explained. "They had dinner there."
The meeting was not a formal conversation, but it helped establish rapport and open the door for future discussions.
""It was a conversation about ideas, about football, about what each person thinks," Almeida said.
Edu's name had already been circulated internally at Flamengo before the club eventually appointed José Boto as director of football. Now, with the situation at Nottingham Forest becoming public, Baptista has started to explore the possibility again.
Nevertheless, ESPN Brazil insists that no immediate agreement is imminent.
"This does not mean that Flamengo are close to signing Edu," Almeida said. “His name was suggested and it is one of the names on the table.”
Time can also complicate matters. Edu's contractual separation from the Marinakis structure may take time. Flamengo will therefore have to decide if they are willing to wait while they evaluate the future of current director Jose Boto.
For Nottingham Forest observers, the story suggests Edu's exit may not mean a long-term break from football - but his next destination is still undecided.
