Andrea Berta will oversee a new era at Arsenal.Andrea Berta will oversee a new era at Arsenal.
Andrea Berta will oversee a new era at Arsenal. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta is set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium in a new Arsenal role.
Arsenal have reached an agreement with former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta to take on the role vacated by Edu late last year.
The 52-year-old had been courted by Manchester United and PSG following his exit from the La Liga giants but it is the Gunners who have won the race for Berta. The Italian left his role at Atletico in January and wanted to make the move to the Premier League, known to be taking English lessons in London.
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Berta, who has been a key figure in the success of Atletico, is known for his dealings in the transfer window and ability to make profit on players. Sky Sports’ Peter Smith explained: "Andrea Berta arrives from Atletico Madrid with an exciting reputation for Arsenal supporters in the transfer market. He also has a ringing endorsement from those he has done deals with, praised for his meticulous approach but also the way he conducts business.
"The man who signed Rodri, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in bargain deals - and sold two of those three on at a substantial profit - will be expected to live up to that billing in north London. The pressure will be on to deliver a summer window which brings an out-and-out number nine and a midfield refresh to allow Mikel Arteta's team to take the final step in their pursuit of the Premier League title.”
With Berta preparing to lead a new era at the Emirates Stadium, his first work will be on the squad at his disposal. LondonWorld looks at which players could leave Arsenal this summer and who probably won’t.
Arsenal midfielders could seek summer exit
Jorginho - Leave
The midfielder is out of contract this season and all signs are pointing to an exit with no murmurs of a renewal at this stage. The Italian only signed a one-year extension last summer and the feeling is that he may head to Brazil with Flamengo very keen on the 33-year-old with Palmeiras also linked.
Thomas Partey - Leave
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Partey has been at Arsenal for five years now but is another out of contract come the end of the season. There have been plenty of headlines during the Ghanian’s time in North London. He’s still got a good game in him but is not to be viewed as a linchpin for the next era of football at the Emirates Stadium.
Leandro Trossard - Leave
Trossard is contracted at Arsenal until 2026 but could be one to watch ahead of the summer. If Berta is a man who likes to keep profits ticking, the thought of losing the Belgian for free in 2026 will not be an option for him. It’s fair to say that, despite confident performances, Trossard has never been the first name on Arteta’s team sheet and a sale could fund incomings.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - Leave
Selling Zinchenko is a pretty straightforward move for Berta. The 28-year-old has another year on his contract but is not seeing regular minutes under Arteta. Arsenal won’t recoup the £30 million paid for the player in 2022 but it’s in everyone’s best interest to sanction a summer sale - the player can get more minutes elsewhere and the club avoids a free agent exit next year.
Berta should look to keep key Arsenal duo
Gabriel Martinelli - Stay
There is some talk of a Martinelli exit this summer after a largely underwhelming season so far. That sale doesn’t make sense for the Gunners. Arsenal lack firepower anyway and, when in form, Martinelli can be prolific. Any future sale will be more lucrative if the winger finds his best form again and Arteta can still bring that out of him.
William Saliba - Stay
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Real Madrid are known admirers of Saliba but there’s no way that Arsenal would humour any bids this summer. Saliba and Gabriel are the spine of Arteta’s team and Berta will know how important it is to keep each centre-back. A big money exit may come one day, but the incoming technical director will surely think that 2025 is too soon to lose the Frenchman.
In other news, Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £62 million fee to sign a talisman this summer.