Arsenal transfer chief leaves club after replacing Edu Gaspar as striker search begins

Jason Ayto has left his role as assisting sporting director at - according to reports.

Ayto, 39, replaced Edu Gaspar as sporting director on an interim basis - following the Brazilian's resignation back in November. He had been a strong candidate to permanently replace Edu, but the Gunners opted to appoint

, has spent a decade at the club and has played a crucial part in the overhaul of Arsenal's recruitment focus under Mikel Arteta. It has been claimed he was heavily involved in the negotiations over the signings of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino last summer.

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According to , Ayto will now serve a period of gardening leave before exiting the club to continue his career. "Very good, Jason and all the team," Arteta said when speaking highly of Ayto's ability.

"Edu [Gaspar] and I probably got a lot of the praise, but the work behind - it is done by this guy and Jason has been phenomenal. It is not easy to wake up one day and having to move to a different office and do a different job, like it was for the team.

"But, once again, the spirit, how people react, how they are willing to (say); 'Okay, that's it, that's the situation, let's move forward', with that ambition - and as well with that determination and that enthusiasm - it's something great. Jason has been great on that."

Berta and Arteta will now work together to conduct Arsenal's transfer business this summer. A new centre-forward is the priority with Viktor Gyokeres reportedly one of their number one targets.

Recent reports from Germany have claimed that the club are now in 'concrete talks' with RB Leipzig over a possible move for Benjamin Sesko. football.london understands that the Gunners do have interest in the striker.