Manchester United have already been credited with an interest in hiring Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta as their next sporting director.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a replacement for Dan Ashworth, whose surprise departure from Old Trafford was confirmed on Sunday, just five months after he joined the club. Details of his departure, including alleged differences of opinion with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, later came to light.
Ashworth's exit leaves United in need of another experienced head at executive level and Gianluca Di Marzio has named Berta as a possible candidate.
Berta, who joined Atletico as a technical director in 2013, has been credited with a huge role in the team's emergence as a genuine European heavyweight over the past decade.
Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox
Dan Ashworth has already been ushered out of Old Trafford / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Changes behind the scenes at Atletico are expected to lead to Berta's departure from the club at the end of the season, and there may be no shortage of offers as the Italian, who was named the best sporting director in the world in 2019, has been linked with a whole host of top names.
Mundo Deportivo state Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Berta, having failed with an offer to hire him a few years ago.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Berta has been linked with a move to the Premier League. AS state United have even failed to convince him to leave Atletico in the past, while both Chelsea and Newcastle United have been touted as suitors in years gone by.
While Berta has previously knocked back approaches in favour of remaining with Atletico, he is expected to entertain offers this summer and United could be among the sides reaching out.
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