Arsenal are expected to announce the appointment of Andrea Berta very soon and the Italian will take on the responsibilities left by his predecessor Edu Gaspar. [Formerly of Atletico Madrid, Berta will arrive with a wealth of experience at the top level of the sport in the field of recruitment and sales, and his arrival is seen as a big coup by the club.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/andrea-berta-concerns-raised-after-31220884)
His work in the summer will include the completion of major deals for players in multiple areas. **football.london** understands that work has gone on behind the scenes ahead of both the summer and even before Berta was looking likely to be implemented into his role.
He, therefore, will be focusing more on the completion of the club’s established strategy for the summer, rather than finding the gems he was known for spotting while in Spain. That will come later down the line, after he is much more established in the club and has his feet firmly under the desk.
[The club have put extensive work into deals for Martin Zubimendi and Joan Garcia. Both are playing in Spain, and Berta will be now working to try and finalise both moves to secure Mikel Arteta his new number six and backup goalkeeper.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/andrea-berta-risks-nightmare-arsenal-31292422)
Elsewhere, the club have a keen interest in upgrading the forward line, with both Alexander Isak and Nico Williams at the top of their list. However, while the Athletic Club winger may be attainable through his £50million-plus buyout clause, the Swedish striker has no such break from contract.
Newcastle are expected to hold firm on a valuation well north of £100million. Therefore, the club’s established interest in Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, could see the Gunners pivot once again and finally look to land the Slovenian international.
Arsenal are also keen on landing another defender as there is a chance that Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could leave in the summer. Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to return at the end of the year, but it has proven unwise to rely on the Japanese international’s availability due to a string of major injuries and setbacks leading to another recent procedure.
Berta will also be looking to negotiate new deals for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as a priority. Although, it is more likely the focus on these will arise more greatly after the summer business is completed and will showcase the club’s ambition to compete, invest and therefore keep their top stars at a club aiming for the biggest trophies.