Arsenal have now made a significant step forward in their plans to have a new sporting director in place ahead of a big summer of spending.
Mikel Arteta’s side decided against any short-term signings in the January transfer window and Arsenal are planning to make more than one significant move this summer.
First and foremost, Arsenal want Alexander Isak – and their spending won’t stop there.
Arsenal also want to sign two midfielders and that’s without even mentioning the possibility of signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
It’s going to be a very busy summer in N5, and although stand-in sporting director Jason Ayto is well regarded at the Emirates Stadium, he could surely do with some help.
PSG’s Luis Campos isn’t keen on coming to England, but it would now seem that Arsenal’s search has taken them in a different direction anyway.
Arsenal have made Andrea Berta their ‘top candidate’ to replace Edu
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano who shared his update on X, former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta is now the ‘top candidate’ to replace Edu at Arsenal.
Romano said that discussions between the two camps have already taken place, claiming that talks were at an ‘advanced’ stage.
Some had wondered if Arsenal might choose to pick up Dan Ashworth after his sudden departure from Manchester United last year.
However, the Gunners seemed to have identified Berta as the right person to take the club forward.
Sharing his update, Romano wrote: “Understand Andrea Berta is now the top candidate to become new Arsenal director in order to replace Edu.
“Discussions already took place, Berta left Atletico after building the team with key signings in the recent years.
“Talks at advanced stage, not done/sealed yet.”
Who are Andrea Berta’s best signings?
Of course, should he be appointed, Berta will be judged on his immediate signings first and foremost, a man who is no stranger to making huge moves.
Berta was in charge when Atletico brought Rodri back to the club in 2018, a midfielder who had previously been released owing to doubts over his physical strength five years prior.
Back in 2014, Berta missed Atletico’s pre-season tour in order to finalise a deal to sign Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad, a player the club would end up selling for four times their initial investment.
And to further prove Berta’s credentials, he also brought Jan Oblak to Atletico for less than £15m at a similar time, a goalkeeper who has gone on to become a club legend.
Clearly Arsenal would be in safe hands, and Berta’s capture of David Villa in 2013 from Barcelona should also provide confidence, a bargain deal and further demonstration that Italian can execute deals at the highest level.
