Arsenal Football Club has successfully struck a deal to hire former Atletico Madrid chief, Andrea Berta, as their new sporting director. This move comes after the unexpected resignation of previous director Edu Gaspar in November and a less than satisfactory January transfer window.
Berta, an Italian native, was free to join Arsenal following his departure from Atletico Madrid. The Gunners were not the only club interested in securing his services; however, he reportedly rejected offers from several high-level clubs in favour of joining Arsenal.
The 53-year-old had been preparing for this transition by spending the past few months learning English with an eye on moving to the Premier League.
Proven track record
Berta's journey into football began in Italy where he made a name for himself with Parma and Genoa. His reputation skyrocketed after his move to Atletico Madrid in 2013 where he initially served as a technical director before transitioning into a sporting director role four years later.
During his tenure at Atletico Madrid, Berta oversaw several high-profile transfers, including Diego Costa, Rodri, Thomas Lemar, Joao Felix, Luis Suarez, and Antoine Griezmann.
He also played an instrumental role in lucrative sales such as Thomas Partey's £45m move to Arsenal itself back in 2020.
Immediate plans at Arsenal
Following his departure from Atletico Madrid last November and two months out of the game, Berta is now ready for this new chapter at Arsenal. One of his immediate plans includes scouting for a new striker - something that will be central to shaping up Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arteta is known to be an admirer of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak; however Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko also have a significant fan base within the Emirates Stadium. The upcoming summer window promises to be an exciting one with many potential transfers on the horizon.
Andrea Berta's arrival at Arsenal marks a new era for the club. His proven track record in managing high-profile transfers and his strategic vision will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and hopefully, success to the team.
