Andrea Berta looks like a man with a plan and one would could singlehandedly transform Arsenal if he is handed the vacant sporting director job at the Emirates Stadium.
Berta is targeting contract extensions at Arsenal as the Italian aims to tie down the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes to long-term deals — who are arguably three of the Gunners’ best players.
On the recruitment front, Andrea Berta eyes Jonathan David at Arsenal as well.
Another forward on his wish list is Matheus Cunha, who Berta admires.
Andrea Berta is a seasoned operator and much like at Atletico Madrid where he made shrewd signings, he seems ready to do the same if he joins Arsenal.
Andrea Berta set to spend £300 million plus on transfers at Arsenal
Berta is in advanced talks with Arsenal and according to journalist Ben Jacobs, the 53-year-old could be set to spend in excess of £300 million in his first transfer window at the Emirates Stadium.
Jacobs said on GiveMeSport’s show, Market Madness: “I can tell you that Arsenal are planning this summer for one of the biggest spends in the club’s entire history. Now, many would want to put a number on it but of course, Arsenal will want to business at value. But it could a spend in excess of £300 million, if we look at the market value of some of the targets available and the volume that they are looking for.”
“Andrea Berta, I can already tell you has already isolated some of his own targets that are different to those put forward either by Edu or alternatively, Jason Ayto.”
Ben Jacobs has claimed that in the centre-forward position, Andrea Berta has personally said yes to the signings of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak but Arsenal will only be able to sign one of them.
“So, if we start in the number nine position because that’s naturally the most reported, it remains the case that Arsenal have got two lead targets, one, Benjamin Sesko who Arsenal believe has picked their project over Chelsea and Manchester United who will available for a release clause this summer in the region of €70 million (£58.8 million), although it’s performance-related my understanding is and it is variable. So, the better Sesko does, the higher the amount goes up and it could eventually be something even in the region of €80 million (£67.2 million).”
“But Arsenal feel PSR compliant, they’ve got money to spend and Alexander Isak is the other name.”
“So Isak and Sesko, both endorsed by Andrea Berta.”
Andrea Berta would like to sign Bruno Guimaraes as well as Martin Zubimendi, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal anyway, according to Ben Jacobs. The reputed journalist also stated that the Gunners will try signing Joan Garcia, a backup to Bukayo Saka, either Nico Williams or Cunha, with Berta preferring the latter and a brand-new left-back as well.
“And my understanding is that Arsenal may try for both Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Isak or Sesko and then on top of all of that, you’ve got Joan Garcia. Arsenal would want a number one goalkeeper that can compete with David Raya and maybe even become the long-term number one over time so the Espanyol goalkeeper is there as well. Plus cover for Bukayo Saka, plus a left-sided winger with Nico Williams and Matheus Cunha, the two that are being looked at, with Berta I’m told really liking Cunha in particular.”
“And Kieran Tierney expected to join Celtic, a left-back as well in light of the fact that [Oleksandr] Zinchenko could depart too. So, Joel [Beya] is Arsenal are going to have a whole new spine of a team and Andrea Berta in his first window is going to be spending big money in his first window at Arsenal.”
| CLUB | |
| ALEXANDER ISAK | NEWCASTLE UNITED |
| BENJAMIN SESKO | RB LEIPZIG |
| BRUNO GUIMARAES | NEWCASTLE UNITED |
| MARTIN ZUBIMENDI | REAL SOCIEDAD |
| JOAN GARCIA | ESPANYOL |
| BUKAYO SAKA BACKUP | UNSPECIFIED |
| NICO WILLIAMS | ATHLETIC BILBAO |
| MATHEUS CUNHA | WOLVES |
Where potential £300 million plus spree could rank among Arsenal’s record transfer windows
If Andrea Berta does splash £300 million plus in his first summer window at Arsenal, the fans will be ecstatic as this would guarantee that Mikel Arteta would have a new spine of players to work with.
Berta could be set spearhead the most money the North Londoners have spent in one window, however.
Ahead of the 2023/2024 season, Arsenal spent close to £200 million, which was a club record but Andrea Berta could be set to demolish that in a few months.
