Arsenal have pulled off a coup, landing former Atletico Madrid mastermind Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, The Athletic reports.
The Gunners, reeling from Edu Gaspar’s shock exit in November and a dud January window, wasted no time locking in the 53-year-old Italian, who’s been brushing up his English for a Premier League adventure.
Berta snubbed other big clubs to join Mikel Arteta’s project—talk about a power move!
Berta’s CV sparkles. Cutting his teeth at Parma and Genoa, he hit the jackpot at Atletico Madrid from 2013, rising from technical director to sporting director by 2017.
His transfer magic? Think Diego Costa, Rodri, Joao Felix, Luis Suarez, and Antoine Griezmann lighting up the Wanda Metropolitano.
He also cashed in big, like flipping Thomas Partey to Arsenal for £45m in 2020. After stepping down in November—formally waved off two months later—Berta’s ready to shake up the Emirates.
The Gunners’ attack is crying for help, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined and no striker signed in January. Berta’s first mission? Bag a goal machine.
Arteta’s drooling over Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are also on the radar. With summer looming, Arsenal’s new transfer king has a war chest and a wishlist—expect fireworks.
Berta’s knack for spotting talent and sealing deals could be the fix Arsenal need after a patchy season. Trailing Liverpool and facing Manchester United next, the pressure’s on to turn promise into points.
