Arsenal reportedly reached an agreement to sign Andrea Berta as their new sports director after the EDU exit from the Emirates last November.
As reported by Mail Sport last year, Edu made a dramatic departure from North London after five years as part of the club's hierarchy and played a key role in recruiting and developing the title-relieving side of Mikel Arteta.
The Brazilian was hired as technical director in 2019 before he saw a promotion until the role of sports director.
His departure came as a blow to Arteta, who wanted to add a striker to his team in the last transfer window of January, but went to February empty -handed.
Now, according to athletics, it is clear that Berta and Arsenal have reached an agreement, even though the Italian is one of the different options on the shortlist of Gunners to replace EDU.
It was believed that the Kant van Arteta is considering various options, such as Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, Thiago Scuro and former midfielder Tomas Rosicky.
The operation was handled by director Richard Garlick and Executive Vice chairman Tim Lewis, while both Arteta and Josh Kroenke were also involved in the deal.
Berta has been a key figure at Atletico Madrid since his arrival in May 2013 as technical director.
In July 2017, however, the Italian was promoted to the role of sports director and has since attracted the interest of several European top points.
He was played an important role in both Atletico's arrivals and departure, so that Diego Simeone would turn out one of the most successful spells of the club in their history over the past decade and more.
Berta left the Spanish capital in January after bringing several important players to the club during the summer transfer window, such as Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, Robin Le Mornand and Alexander Sorloth.
He started his director career in 2007, joined Italian side Parma and led them to a promotion to the first division in the following season.
In 2009, Berta joined Genoa, where he met the current Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gaskerini and was reminded for adding Rodrigo Palacio and Hernan Crespo to the team.
However, replacing EDU will not be an easy task. The Brazilian had a substantial impact on the team and was able to supervise a revision that marked the departure of various highly paid players, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had ended his contract after a bitter last few months with the Emirates.
In his absence, Jason Ayto took on an interim director role and was also considered a full-time option.
It is, however, that EDU will join the Multi-Club network of Evangelos Marinakis, which includes Nottingham Forest, Rio Ave and Olympiacos.
After a silent winter transfer window, Arteta waited for the fans about the club for a new sports director before completing some signing sessions.
He said, “The club does the process that we think is best to try to find the person who is the best for the moment Arsenal is now, and that is what the club is trying to do.”
Earlier reports from Sky Sports outlined that the Gunners will enter the race for Jonathan David, who no longer has a contract at the end of this period, in the midst of their constant interest from Benjamin Sesko and Jonathan David.
Alexander Isak was another striker who caught the eyes of Arsenal because of his stunning form, scored 19 goals and added five assists in 24 Premier League matches.
However, it is, however, that the Noord -London club is waiting for their new director to take over the role and to submit a proposal for David in the coming weeks.
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