When Arsenal welcomed Andrea Berta to the club at the end of March, it was a clear signal of intent from the Kroenkes.
Jason Ayto was a candidate to replace Edu at Arsenal but the Gunners opted for Berta owing to his experience and strong reputation of executing big deals in Europe.
Arsenal have money to spend this summer and they clearly believe that Berta is the man who can help them do so successfully.
However, it’s perhaps being slightly forgotten how important it will be for the Italian to also oversee something of a clearout at the Emirates — several players have become surplus to Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal have expensive plans to sign a striker, a left-winger and a central midfielder at least this summer and any funds raised through player sales to offset that spending could be crucial.
Arsenal need to sell Oleksandr Zinchenko
That being said, Arsenal need to find a solution for Oleksandr Zinchenko as soon as possible this summer.
Despite playing a vital role when he first arrived at Arsenal in 2022 for £30m, Zinchenko is now surplus to requirements.
READ MORE: Edu made a £50m transfer mistake that is still costing Mikel Arteta at Arsenal today
In fact, Kieran Tierney has often played ahead of the former Manchester City full-back this season, even though he’s already agreed to rejoin Celtic.
Despite his talent, Zinchenko simply isn’t needed by Arteta right now, especially given the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
To put it bluntly, 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly can already offer more than Zinchenko as a full-back, even if that should be credit to the youngster rather than a slight on his older counterpart.
And in terms of Zinchenko playing in midfield as an eight, it’s simply not needed.
Andrea Berta needs to sell several Arsenal stars
Fortunately for Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund showed interest in Zinchenko in January, and perhaps they will return in the summer.
But it’s not just Zinchenko who Berta needs to find an exit for, Arteta’s squad is now littered with players on the periphery of the club’s plans.
Takehiro Tomiyasu could be a candidate to move on as well, assuming he’s fit enough to leave the club.
Jakub Kiwior also wants to leave Arsenal despite his run in the starting eleven — he recognises that Gabriel Magalhaes will always be first choice.
And with Arsenal’s plan to add attacking talent, perhaps someone like Leandro Trossard will need to be sold as well, despite what he’s contributed this season.
