Arsenal have a new sporting director in the dugout, the Gunners confirming this week that Andrea Berta has taken on the role.
Berta has become Edu’s permanent successor in the role after the former Arsenal midfielder left the Emirates Stadium at the end of 2024.
Berta previously worked in the role at Atletico Madrid, where he spent 12 years before stepping down in January.
The 53-year-old has also held the same position at Parma and Genoa in his native Italy.
Charles Watts has now shared what he believes Berta has already done at Arsenal that could prove “absolutely critical” going forward.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Charles Watts praises Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta for being proactive ahead of summer transfer window
Watts believes a lot of the recent transfer speculation involving the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams has been “driven by Berta”.
The journalist says Berta being so proactive ahead of the summer transfer window is exactly “what you want to see from him”.
And with so many clubs set to be after midfielders and strikers, Watts believes it’s “absolutely critical” that Arsenal get key business done early.
“What I do think is interesting is Berta really sort of being on the front foot,” began Watts.
“We’ve already seen the Gyokeres stuff and that appears to be being driven by Andrea Berta following his arrival.
“The Nico Williams stuff immediately is on the agenda again as soon as Berta comes through the door and this is what you want to see from him.
“You want to see him being proactive ahead of the summer transfer window using his contacts and getting things in place to really allow Arsenal to push hard to get their business done.
“And not just get their business done either, but get their business done early, which I think is absolutely critical this summer, especially for the big business that they do – so your striker and your left winger or your midfielder.”
The three things Andrea Berta should have at the top of his list at Arsenal
Earlier this week, talkSPORT pundit and Arsenal fan Darren Bent urged Berta to prioritise three things now he has taken on the sporting director role the Emirates Stadium.
The first one is a new striker capable of scoring between 15 and 20 goals per Premier League campaign, according to Bent, who spoke on talkSPORT’s Drivetime show.
The second is a new contract for Bukayo Saka, with Bent saying Arsenal need to match Saka’s ambitions.
And the third is a new midfielder, with Martin Zubimendi a great shout to bolster the Gunners ranks.
The proactive Berta has already eyed up a few signings for Arsenal this summer, with Nico Williams having been approached by Berta.
Berta is also a big fan of Matheus Cunha, and the Arsenal director is also keen on Pablo Barrios from his former club, Atletico Madrid.
And according to Steve Kay, Berta has also recommended the signing of Atletico Madrid B forward Adrian Nino to Mikel Arteta.