Prospective new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta shares the club’s admiration for Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, TBR Football exclusively understands.
Berta will arrive at Arsenal in preparation for a big summer of spending at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s squad is still lacking in areas, particularly when it comes to goalscoring number nine.
To that end, Berta has spoken to Arsenal about Matheus Cunha, but the Gunners’ recruitment won’t stop at a new striker in the summer.
Berta has a list of signings to make at the Emirates, and he still holds one midfielder in very high regard from his days with Atletico.
Andrea Berta seriously impressed by Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Berta still loves Atletico midfielder Barrios from his time working together in Spain.
21-year-old Barrios has made 31 appearances under Diego Simeone this season and he started both legs of their recent Champions League knockout-tie against Real Madrid.
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And as a result of his form for Atleti, Barrios won his first cap for Spain towards the end of 2024, featuring in the same squad as David Raya and Mikel Merino.
Arsenal have admired Barrios for some time now, and Berta himself only arrives at the club with good things to say about the midfielder.
It’s currently unclear if the Italian will try and bring his former colleague to north London, but the midfielder is definitely someone who he holds in huge regard.
Of course, it should be noted that Barrios has a release clause of €100m (£84m) at Atleti, a price Arsenal would surely not be willing to pay in any case.
Martin Zubimendi remains Arsenal’s top target
Incidentally, Martin Zubimendi remains Arsenal’s top midfield target this summer and talks to sign the Spaniard are continuing, as they will when Berta is appointed.
Arsenal want to sign Zubimendi quickly in the summer, given that there will be interest from other top European sides.
But Barros remains a fascinating option that Arsenal have been looking at for months, and Berta certainly won’t change that opinion once he arrives.
Arsenal still want Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg, an 18-year-old talent who clearly has a ton of potential.
But the club are continuing to do work on others and Barrios is one name who they are keeping close tabs on for the future.
