Atletico Madrid will see the end of an era at the end of the calendar year, with sporting director Andrea Berta ending seven years of his reign at the Metropolitano. Berta will leave, with many citing the arrival of football director Carlos Bucero as a key factor.
Bucero certainly seems to have had the authority to make decisions, and Relevo calls that part of Berta's decision. This summer, Bucero was key in the signings of Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, although Bucero preferred Javi Guerra to Conor Gallagher.
They continue to say that a rift had also grown between Diego Simeone and Berta. It can best be explained by three specific transferences. In 2021, Brazilian forward Marcos Paulo arrived, despite Simeone making it clear he was not a fan. Paulo has yet to make his debut and has made several loan spells, but still has 18 months left.
Secondly, Joao Felix – the Portuguese is perhaps a more predictable point of tension. Felix signed for 127 million euros, but never came face to face with Simeone. Berta insisted that Simeone continue to try to get the best out of him together with Felix because of the money they had invested, but Simeone's patience had long since run out.
Thirdly, the remarkable arrival of Arthur Vermeeren was the point of no return for Berta and Simeone. The Belgian teenager arrived for €22 million last January as one of the biggest talents in European football, but was loaned out to RB Leipzig this summer, who are expected to make the deal permanent.
Vermeeren only started one match and was taken off at half-time as Simeone felt he did not fit what he had asked for and did not want the player. He preferred to sign Boca Juniors midfielder Alan Varela, who eventually moved to Porto for twelve million euros.
Simeone has suggested he re-sign in January, while Berta is more interested in players like Samu Costa, Luis Milla, Morten Hjlumand and Jerdy Schouten.
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