Arsenal appear set to appoint Andrea Berta as their sporting director after reputedly reaching an agreement with the former Atletico Madrid head of football.
football.london understands Berta has been in the running to replace Edu Gaspar since leaving the Spanish side in early January. The Athletic now reports the Gunners are now finalising contracts after choosing the Italian over multiple other options under consideration, including the current interim and Edu's former assistant, Jason Ayto.
Berta, however, has far more experienced after being a sporting director for the best part of two decades. Here are some of the 53-year-old's best and worst signings...
Berta's best signings
Antoine Griezmann
Two years after selling Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona for £100million, Atletico re-signed the forward on loan for around £8million before paying £18million to make the return permanent two years later. Despite turning 34 later this month, the forward has been their top goalscorer in the last two seasons - proving to be a very shrewd signing.
Rodri
Berta's second season after succeeding Jose Luis Perez Caminero Atletico's sporting director saw the club sign Rodri from Villarreal in a circa £20million deal five years after releasing the midfielder as a teenager. His contract included a £62.6 million release clause, which Manchester City paid barely 12 months later. Rodri has, of course, gone on to become the most dominant midfielder in the world and won the Ballon d'Or last year.
Berta's worst signings
Joao Felix
Atletico paid around £5million over the £108million release clause in the Benfica contract of Joao Felix to sign the teenager. However, having flattered to deceive under Diego Simeone, after recouping around £15million in loan fees from Barcelona and Chelsea, the Blues paid them circa £45million for the player last summer.
Thomas Lemar
The same summer Rodri returned to Atletico, they signed Thomas Lemar from Monaco a year after Arsenal failed in their attempts to do so. However, since paying around £60million for the midfielder, he once went 20 months without scoring and has managed just ten goals for the club, four less than during his standout season in Ligue 1.
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