Arsenal chiefs have apparently promised to bid for one transfer target this summer, having made this pledge clear to his club, and it is also believed they're prepared to meet the conditions of a potential deal.
Arsenal eye potential summer rebuild under Andrea Berta
The Gunners are reportedly closing in on the appointment of new sporting director Andrea Berta to replace Edu Gaspar, who left his post in November, with the Italian now available for hire after quitting Atlético Madrid in January.
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His price tag could be reasonable.
Arsenal are in very advanced talks to hire Berta as their new transfer chief, with some reports describing the move as "all but done" (Football Insider). His potential arrival has brought anticipation with it, following 12 successful years at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Despite other media sources claiming that Arsenal held negotiations with Yossi Benayoun over the vacant sporting director post, which is currently being filled by interim chief Jason Ayto, Berta's looming move to north London is gaining serious traction.
Arsenal's next five Premier League games Date
Man Utd (away) March 9th
Chelsea (home) March 16th
Fulham (home) April 1st
Everton (away) April 5th
Brentford (home) April 12th
Mikel Arteta was also rumoured to be pushing for PSG director Luis Campos (Football Transfers), with the official out of contract in Paris this summer, but it appears Berta is firmly in pole position for the job.
Berta's influence in the transfer market has birthed serious expectations among Arsenal supporters, and he could play a significant role in assisting the club's pursuit of key targets for next season.
Arsenal are actively pursuing a new striker this summer, while Jorginho and Thomas Partey's imminent exits have prompted the N5 side to scour the market for a star midfielder.
As well as this, a new defender could also be in the offing, with some reports suggesting that Arsenal are considering Marc Guehi as a centre-back option with Jakub Kiwior also up for sale.
With Kieran Tierney poised to join Celtic, and uncertainty surrounding Oleksandr Zinchenko, that's three full-back options who could depart the Emirates, including Kiwior.
Arsenal "promise" Flamengo they will bid for Wesley Franca
As a result, they're also weighing up new full-backs, and Flamengo right-back Wesley Franca has been repeatedly linked this week.
wesley-franca-flamengo
It was first reported by RTI Esporte that Arsenal contacted the representatives of Franca this week, with Bolavip Brasil (via Sport Witness) now providing a further update from South America.
The defender's contract actually contains a £168 million release clause, but Flamengo are prepared to do business at a starting price of around £29 million. Arteta's side are apparently prepared to meet this demand, and Arsenal have made a "promise" to Flamengo that they will bid for Franca soon.
The 21-year-old is also on the radar of Tottenham, Chelsea and other English rivals, according to RTI Esporte, so Arsenal could still face stiff competition. Former Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis has called Franca an "exceptional" defender.