Arsenal have already started talks to sign a key transfer target ahead of the summer window, with incoming sporting director Andrea Berta expected to launch a bid, according to a report this week.
Mikel Arteta says Andrea Berta will take Arsenal to the "next level"
The pending arrival of Berta, who will commence his new role at the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks (David Ornstein), brings plenty of excitement with it as Arsenal land a very capable replacement for Edu Gaspar.
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The Spaniard has made a specific request.
The 53-year-old spent 12 successful years at Atlético Madrid before departing the La Liga side in January, where he managed to sell Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona for £108 million in 2019 before re-signing the France legend for just £17 million three years later.
Berta also has connections to Wolves star Matheus Cunha through their time together at Atlético, and many have speculated that this could help Arsenal strike a summer deal for the Brazilian, who has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract.
Arsenal's next five Premier League games Date
Chelsea (home) March 16th
Fulham (home) April 1st
Everton (away) April 5th
Brentford (home) April 12th
Ipswich Town (away) April 20th
While Cunha could be pushed to Arsenal by Berta's influence, there are also suggestions that the Italian has targets firmly in place ahead of the summer. GiveMeSport reported recently that RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Athletic Bilbao sensation Nico Williams are all on the Gunners' radar, and Berta's La Liga contacts may prove very fruitful.
Arteta, meanwhile, is thrilled by the arrival of Berta, with the Spaniard claiming he could help to take them up to another level.
andrea-berta-arsenal-mikel-arteta-joao-felix-diego-costa
“The best one for me is that ownership, board and everybody's aligned that this is the right person to take us to the next level," said Arteta on Berta's appointment. "That's the most important thing."
Arsenal have also been linked with a potential new defender this summer, and it is believed that Bournemouth ace Dean Huijsen is firmly on Berta's agenda.
Arsenal initiate talks to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen
As per information from CaughtOffside, Arsenal have initiated negotiations over signing Huijsen, months before the summer window's opening, and they're one of a few Premier League sides expected to submit bids of up to £30 million.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jean-Ricner Bellegarde in action with AFC Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen
The Spain Under-21 international has been a revelation under Andoni Iraola, alongside both Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi in their central defence, and news of his £50+ million release clause, which will become active this summer, prompted links to a host of elite-level sides.
However, it appears Arsenal and Berta will first go in with a low-ball offer to test the water, but we believe it is quite unlikely they'll be successful considering just how much Huijsen has impressed since his move from Juventus.
Even European champions Real Madrid are believed to be targeting Huijsen ahead of the summer, which sums up the 19-year-old's serious potential. The defender has also been called a "sensational" prospect by members of the media (Ben Mattinson).