Arsenal has appointed Andrea Berta as their new sports director.
The 53-year-old felt the opportunity to work in the North London club and in the Premier League was too good a chance to reject.
Arsenal held a thorough process and interviewed a number of candidates, but Berta was the excellent choice.
The Italian, who was available from January after 12 years in the role in Atletico Madrid, was for a position in the Premier League by following English lessons in London.
Berta settled as the leading candidate in the thorough process of Arsenal to replace Edu, who resigned in November as their sports director.
Berta, who is credited as a central figure in the success of Atletico, is a cunning operator in the transfer market and is appreciated in Europe, not only because of his ability to make a considerable profit for players, but also to surpass with rivals with greater resources.
Highly appreciated Berta under pressure to realize the invoicing at Arsenal
Sky Sports' Peter Smith:
“Andrea Berta arrives from Atletico Madrid with an exciting reputation for Arsenal supporters in the transfer market. He also has a ringing approval of those with whom he has done deals, praised for his meticulous approach, but also the way in which he does business.
“The man who signed Rodri, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in bargain agreements – and two of those three on a considerable profit – is expected to live up to the invoicing in North Londs.
“The pressure will be to deliver a summer window that entails an out-out no. 9 and a change in midfield to enable the Mikel Arteta team to take the last step in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
“Edu, the predecessor of Berta, revised the club with Arteta during his five -year enchantment at the helm. Now, with a talented young team, including a depth of defensive options, the finishing touches must be applied to change Arsenal into champion.
“Those missing pieces will not be easy to find, with the Spitsmarkt limited and expensive, and rivals also looking for ball games no. 6. The latter will be a key position to tackle when Jorginho and Thomas Partey leave at the end of their current contracts, as expected.
“A backup in goal for David Raya, with Neto only on loan from Bournemouth, will also be a requirement.
“There will also be internal contracts to juggle, with star players Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes who have only had their current conditions for two years this summer, and young people MyLes Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri who are pushing to be rejected for their impressive performance this season.
“A source that has worked with Berta believes that he will prove to be a cunning appointment for Arsenal. If he can replicate his title -winning project in Atletico with the Gunners, his takeover could be one of their best signing sessions of all.”
Berta's bargain buys from Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann – Signed at Real Sociedad for £ 24.8 million in 2014. Sold to Barcelona in 2019 for £ 103 million. Bought back in 2021 for £ 16.5 million.
RODRI – Signed from Villarreal for £ 16.5 million in 2018 and then sold to Manchester City in 2019 for £ 62.5 million.
Luis Suarez – Signed from Barcelona in 2020 for £ 5.5 million.
Jan Oblak – signed with Benfica in 2014 for £ 13 million.
Marcos Llorente – Signed at Real Madrid in 2019 for £ 35 million.
Kieran Trippier – Signed from Tottenham in 2019 for £ 20 million.
Jose Gimenez – Signed from Danubio for € 995,000
Stefan Savic – Signed from Fiorentina for € 12m
And he also splashed …
Joao Felix – Signed with Benfica for £ 113 million in 2019.
Julian Alvarez – Signed from Man City for £ 82 million in 2024.
Thomas Lemar – Signed from Monaco for £ 63.2 million in 2018.
Diego Costa – Signed from Chelsea for £ 57 million in 2017.
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