Andrea Berta will soon start his new role as sports director of Arsenal, and his first task will be to complete a signature that has been on the cards for months
Incoming Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta has been given the task of seeing the signature of the real Sociedad -midfielder Martin Zubimendi over the line.
The Gunners have already completed the framework of a deal, but the prospect of a late intervention of Champions League quarter -final opponents Real Madrid is not yet completely excluded, even if the size of their potential interest is somewhat sensational in the Spanish media last week. Arsenal, who followed the Euro 2024 winner for the best part of 18 months, began to perform discreet negotiations for the former Liverpool target white Zubimendi after the conquest of Mikel Merino last August, long before the threatening arrival of ex-Atletico Madrid Chief Berta.
Internally, the transfer is considered good as done, but there is still a small element of risk that Real Madrid could run the head of the player – provided that they can also meet his £ 51 million release clause.
Of course Arsenal is attentive to the situation, but retains the confidence that the defending midfielder will go to the Emirates Stadium this summer, given the enormous oeuvre that has already gone into the movement.
The side of Mikel Arteta could still pay slightly above the release clause of Zubimendi, but instead distribute the costs of the deal on more favorable payment conditions to protect their balance. This strategy is not unusual in the increasing PSR era.
The uncertain future of Carlo Ancelotti in the Bernabeu can also influence the future of Zubimendi in the midst of renewed interest from Brazil, since Xabi Alonso would be the best choices to replace the Italian – if he left his post at the end of the season. Alonso, who previously described Zubimendi as his “idol”, worked with the Spain International during his time responsible for Real Sociedad B and played a crucial role in his development.
While Berta, who tried to sign the Spain International in Atletico in 2023, is supposed to have started his new role a few weeks ago, detailed discussions have now been established with Arteta and the Arsenal -Hierarchy about their summer transfer plans and those meetings will regularly take place between now and the end of the season.
The club already has a clear understanding and understand how they want to attack the coming market, but new input from the experienced operator Berta will be welcomed because he will be given the task of performing deals for the top goals of Arteta. It is understood that the work on some of those arrivals has already started.
If Zubimendi is formally unveiled this summer as a new Gunners player as expected, Berta will probably get a remarkable praise for his impact, but in truth the hard yards were concluded about that specific deal many months ago against the back of 2024 by Arteta, Edu for his departure, Jason Aytis, James Ellis and Times.
At this stage there are suggestions that the Italian will also insist on the signing of the Newcastle Guimaraes Bruno are premature. Historically there is great admiration for the Brazilian within Arsenal, but to date there has been no concrete indication that he is of the names they will pursue this summer.
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