Andrea Berta will immediately be tasked with signing a new striker after agreeing to replace Edu Gaspar as the club’s sporting director.
Arsenal were interested in Berta as soon as he left Atletico Madrid at the turn of the year, an experienced head with a strong reputation across Europe.
Berta signed several excellent strikers at Atletico and now the Italian will predominantly be tasked with finding an upgrade on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal.
Both Havertz and Jesus will still play important roles in north London once a new top class number nine arrives, but Mikel Arteta needs more in front of goal.
That being said, Berta has already recommended a striker to Arsenal, and the Brazilian has now made his intentions very clear in regards to leaving his current club this summer.
Matheus Cunha wants to leave Wolves this summer amid Arsenal interest
Arsenal wanted to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves in January but quickly learned that the relegation-threatened side had no interest in letting their star man leave mid-season.
However, in an interview with Guardian Sport, that was shared on the same day that Berta’s arrival at Arsenal was announced, Cunha has made it very clear that he wants to leave Wolves this summer.
READ MORE: Why Arsenal chose Andrea Berta instead of promoting Jason Ayto as new sporting director
The £63m-rated striker admitted that he could never leave Wolves in a ‘difficult situation’ half way through the campaign, but then stressed his desire to take the next step this summer.
Cunha said: “I had a lot of offers but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it.
“Some things you can’t control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.
“Now, we’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up]. But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”
Andrea Berta signed Matheus Cunha at Atletico Madrid
Of course, some actually perceive that Cunha was one of Berta’s ‘failures’ at Atletico given that he was eventually sold to Wolves, even though that was for a profit.
However, Berta’s talent identification and execution were seemingly spot on – Cunha is on his way to becoming one of the best players in the Premier League.
And given that Berta has already told Arsenal about Cunha’s talent, his latest comments will surely only fuel a pursuit of his signature in N5.
Arsenal were interested in Cunha before Berta even arrived, a Brazilian that might have been on compatriot Edu Gaspar’s radar as well.
And given that Cunha could play with or instead of Havertz at Arsenal next season, he would seem like a very sensible signing, and a very exciting one too.
