Arsenal have confirmed the arrival of Andrea Berta as the club's new sporting director, replacing Edu, and a busy transfer window lies ahead for the ex-Atletico Madrid chief
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Andrea Berta has been named Arsenal's new sporting director
Andrea Berta has been named Arsenal's new sporting director
(Image: Arsenal)
Andrea Berta arrives at the Emirates ahead one of the biggest summers of Mikel Arteta ’s reign. Italian Berta, 53, will be charged with making THREE major signings as Arsenal target a centre forward, left winger and have got a £51m deal lined up for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Arsenal have got RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as a top target having tracked him last summer and there is a buy-out clause of around £60m which will make him attractive for a lot of clubs. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak but that would be hugely expensive and would blow the budget while they also want to sign a left winger with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Bournemouth ’s Antoine Semenyo on their hit-list.
They also want a new No2 keeper and have Espanyol’s Joan Garcia in their sights as well as Norway wonderkid Sverre Nypan as the Rosenberg starlet is regarded as one of Europe’s top talents. Gunners boss Arteta has seen the team make huge strides under his watch since taking charge in December 2019 but this season has been a disappointment.
Their last two windows have also been underwhelming and find themselves approaching the business end of this season without a recognised centre forward with both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz out injured. Arsenal bought Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino last summer for a combined £75m and they have been underwhelming so far while, to Arteta’s frustration, the north Londoners did not do business in January.
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Arsenal fans are desperate to see them get back to being Premier League contenders next season - and that is why this summer will be so important. While Arsenal have big money to spend this summer, part of the art of Berta’s first summer will also to be offload because they cannot do a striker, left winger, midfielder and new keeper without having to sell.
Arsenal may have to sacrifice one of their first team regulars with Saudi Pro League interest in Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Mertinelli. They also have a wealth of left backs as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior likely to go while Kieran Tierney is set to join Celtic for free.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho are out of contract this summer and, while they would not bring in fees, the saving on their wages would help enable Arsenal sign new players and renew new contracts. It's also a big summer for the club on new contracts with key players Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes entering the last two years of their contracts.
Sport Director Andrea Berta is to have an important summer at Arsenal
New sporting director Andrea Berta is set to have an important summer at Arsenal
Berta has a huge reputation from his 11 years at Atletico Madrid where he recruited and sold in a shrewd fashion. The ex-Atletico chief has a vast contacts book but is also known as having strong connections with super-agents so it may be a different direction to Arsenal’s recent recruitment in which they have bought young players and developed them.
That will raise question marks over his predecessor Edu’s former deputy Jason Ayto’s future - who has been operating as the interim sporting director - after the Brazilian’s departure. Berta will take over straight away and was definitely an appointment that Arteta championed and they will be on the same page.
Berta’s track record at Atletico with Diego Simeone was outstanding as the club enjoyed huge success - including the La Liga title, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup - while wheeling and dealing in the transfer market. France striker Antoine Griezmann was signed from Real Sociedad for £24.8m in 2014 and five years later was sold to Barcelona for £103m. Atletico then bought him back in 2021 for just £16.5m.
Spain midfielder Rodri, now a Ballon d'Or winner, was signed for £16.5m in 2018 and sold to Manchester City the following year for £62.5m. Keeper Jan Oblak signed from Benfica in 2014 for just £13m. He's now widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He also signed Luis Suarez, Kieran Trippier and Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal fans will be hoping he can do similar smart deals to put the club back on top next season.
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