Arsenal has confirmed the appointment of Andrea Berta as their new sports director, so what's in the agenda of the former Chief of Atletico Madrid in the Emirates Stadium?
Sign an attacker [at least one!]
The most urgent task of Berta will be to strengthen Arsenal's attack. Their injuries this season have uncovered a lack of depth in their forward line. The need for more firepower is clear.
Kai Havertz was on schedule for the highest scoring season of his career for his knee injury, but Arsenal has become too dependent on him. After selling Eddie Nketiah without replacing it last summer, and Gabriel Jesus also lost to a knee injury, they are also light on numbers and murderous quality.
Can Berta Arsenal help make a deal for one of their top goals? Alexander Isak is reportedly strong on the club's shortlist and there has also been interest in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. The Gunners cannot afford to make another blank this summer.
Get Zubimendi Deal over the line
Arsenal had closed a deal to sign the real Sociedad – midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer, understands Sky Sports News – only for recent reports to claim that Real Madrid now also wanted to sign the Spain International.
Zubimendi, 25, is under contract with La Real until the summer of 2027, but has a release clause of £ 51 million. Arsenal will hope that their new sports director, who worked in the same role in the Spanish capital for 12 years, while he is in Atletico Madrid, will be able to use his experience and connections to complete this transfer this summer.
Tie stars to new contracts
It is not only about getting players through the door at Arsenal with key figures such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli who all enter the last two years of their contracts this summer.
The North London club will also want to bind MyYLES Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri after their beautiful breakthrough seasons in the Emirates, while they have to decide what to do with midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho while their contracts end in the summer.
Securing the future of important players will be of great importance for Berta and Arsenal, so that Mikel Arteta can continue to build on the base that have been built in recent seasons.
Collecting funds by Sales
There are also players who need to be moved.
Criticism has been labeled at Arsenal in the past because they do not generate enough through players' sales, so that Berta can have a major impact in this area.
Kieran Tierney looks ready to join Celtic, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior did not have the possibilities for the first team they had wanted this season and two of the names could be excess for requirements.
Facilitate a trophy load
In the crux in the task with which Berta is confronted, the need to equip Arteta with the tools to put an end to the waiting of Arsenal for large silverware. The recruitment of Arsenal has been too crooked in recent years to defensive signing sessions. There is a need to re -balance the team.
To do this, he must develop a strong relationship with Arteta. The couple must be aligned, as Arteta was with Berta's predecessor, Edu, while they are preparing to attack their trophy goals next season.
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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