Andrea Berta has chosen to become the new sports director of Arsenal in the midst of Manchester United, Paris Saint -Germain and other top clubs – but the chance to work at Arsenal and in the Premier League turned out to be too good a chance to reject.
Arsenal has 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 priming for a position in the Premier League by following English lessons in London.
United considered him a successor to Dan Ashworth and PSG have been admirers of his ability to buy and sell remarkably well.
Berta, however, settled as the leading candidate in the thorough process of Arsenal to replace Edu, who resigned in November.
The 53-year-old, who is credited as a central figure in the success of Atleti, 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 bump into 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 brings an out-and-out number nine and a midfield renewal 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 back-up in the goal for David Raya, will also be, will, will, will be, with Neto.
“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 be a smart agreement for Arsenal. And 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 Koopjesbuys at 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 £ 20m
Jose Gimenez – Signed from Danubio for 995,000 euros
Stefan Savic – Signed from Fiorentina for 12 million euros
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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