Arsenal executive Ayto to leave club

Ayto was interim sporting director after Edu left the club

Arsenal assistant sporting director Jason Ayto is leaving the club, BBC Sport understands.

The well-respected executive has decided to exit the Emirates Stadium ahead of the summer window.

Ayto worked under former sporting director Edu and was promoted into the position of interim sporting director after Edu left in November.

But Ayto will leave the club in due course, with the news announced to staff internally on Friday afternoon.

Andrea Berta was appointed as Edu's successor in April and has taken the lead on recruitment and contractual issues since his arrival.

Ayto has spent close to 10 years at the Emirates rising through the ranks to become a crucial member of the leadership team.

He was close to being appointed Edu's full-time successor but Berta was eventual offered the position.

Ayto has played a key role behind the scenes during Arsenal's improvements under Mikel Arteta and was influential in negotiations for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who is expected to join later this summer.