Andrea Berta has chosen to develop into the brand new sporting director of Arsenal amid curiosity from Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and different prime golf equipment – however the likelihood to work at Arsenal and within the Premier League proved too good a chance to show down.
Arsenal have held an intensive course of and interviewed quite a few candidates, however Berta was the excellent alternative.
The Italian, who was obtainable from January after 12 years within the position at Atletico Madrid, was priming for a place within the Premier League by taking English classes in London.
Edu left his position as Arsenal sporting director in November
United thought-about him as a successor for Dan Ashworth and PSG have been admirers of his skill to purchase and promote remarkably effectively.
Berta, nevertheless, established himself because the main candidate in Arsenal’s thorough course of to switch Edu, who resigned in November.
Paul Merson returns to his former membership to talk to Mikel Arteta forward of their conflict in opposition to Chelsea. The Arsenal boss discusses the membership’s tradition and opens up on the departure of their technical sporting director Edu
The 53-year-old, who’s credited as being a central determine in Atleti’s success, is a shrewd operator within the switch market and is esteemed round Europe not just for his skill to make a major revenue on gamers, however to additionally punch above rivals with larger assets.
Extremely rated Berta underneath stress to dwell as much as billing at Arsenal
Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:
“Andrea Berta arrives from Atletico Madrid with an thrilling repute for Arsenal supporters within the switch market. He additionally has a ringing endorsement from these he has achieved offers with, praised for his meticulous strategy but in addition the way in which he conducts enterprise.
“The person who signed Rodri, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in discount offers – and bought two of these three on at a considerable revenue – will probably be anticipated to dwell as much as that billing in north London.
Antoine Griezmann has been an enormous success since Berta first introduced the France ahead to Madrid greater than a decade in the past
“The stress will probably be on to ship a summer season window which brings an out-and-out quantity 9 and a midfield refresh to permit Mikel Arteta’s staff to take the ultimate step of their pursuit of the Premier League title.
“Edu, Berta’s predecessor, overhauled the membership with Arteta throughout his five-year spell on the helm. Now, with a proficient younger squad, together with a depth of defensive choices, the ending touches should be utilized to show Arsenal into champions.
“These lacking items will not be straightforward to search out, with the striker market restricted and costly, and rivals additionally looking out for a ball-playing No 6. The latter will probably be a key place to deal with ought to Jorginho and Thomas Partey depart on the finish of their present contracts, as anticipated. A back-up in purpose for David Raya, with Neto solely on mortgage from Bournemouth, may even be a requirement.
“There may even be inner contracts to juggle, with star gamers Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes having simply two years on their present phrases by this summer season, and kids Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri pushing to be rewarded for his or her spectacular performances this season.
“A supply who has labored with Berta believes he’ll show to be a shrewd appointment for Arsenal. And if he can replicate his title-winning venture at Atletico with the Gunners, his acquisition could possibly be one among their greatest signings of all.”
Miguel Delaney, chief soccer author at The Impartial, takes a better have a look at Edu’s exit at Arsenal and what it could imply for Mikel Arteta
Berta’s bargain-buys at Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann – signed from Actual Sociedad for £24.8m in 2014. Bought to Barcelona in 2019 for £103m. Purchased again in 2021 for £16.5m
Rodri – signed from Villarreal for £16.5m in 2018 after which bought on to Manchester Metropolis in 2019 for £62.5m.
Luis Suarez – signed from Barcelona in 2020 for £5.5m
Jan Oblak – signed from Benfica in 2014 for £13m
Marcos Llorente – signed from Actual Madrid in 2019 for £35m
Kieran Trippier – signed from Tottenham in 2019 for £20m
Jose Gimenez – signed from Danubio for 995,000 Euros
Stefan Savic – signed from Fiorentina for 12m Euros
And he additionally splashed out on…
Joao Felix – signed from Benfica for £113m in 2019
Joao Felix joined Atleti from Benfica for £113m in 2019
Julian Alvarez – signed from Man Metropolis for £82m in 2024
Thomas Lemar – signed from Monaco for £63.2m in 2018
Diego Costa – signed from Chelsea for £57m in 2017
