Are Arsenal finally ready to announce the identity of their new sporting director in time for this summer’s transfer window? | OneFootball

That would seem to be the case with reports increasing in credibility that Arsenal are poised to finally confirm the appointment of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The Italian, 53, was most recently working alongside Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, where the pair shared a remarkable run of success on and off the pitch. Berta, who moved into football from a career in banking when he was 30, has a renowned track record of buying and selling players successfully, left Atletico on amicable terms at the start of the year.

Now his six-month notice period has almost been served he can soon start work at Arsenal as the full-time replacement for Arsenal Invincible Edu, who stunned the north London club by announcing his departure last November.

He will need to hit the ground running at Arsenal where the owners and supporters are united in their desire to see manager Mikel Arteta add to the FA Cup he won in his first season in charge.

Arteta has so far refused to comment directly on Berta’s impending arrival, merely indicating he is aligned with the appointment of which he assisted in alongside managing director Richard Garlick and executive vice-chair Tim Lewis. It remains to be seen whether Edu’s interim replacement Jason Ayto will have a role in the new set up.

High on Berta’s list of priorities will be to help the club to sign a new striker. Money should not be a problem with targets including Alexander Isak at Newcastle, RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokores, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt, possibly Liam Delap of Ipswich, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and what about Bayern Munich hitman Harry Kane!

Either way, Berta is known for this work ethic, having reportedly once been on 10 flights in 10 days to scout 25 players in South America. Possibly unfair, but it is likely Arsenal fans will judge Berta largely on the club’s success, or lack of it. in this summer’s transfer window.

Closer to home he will need to build a relationship with Arteta and the current Arsenal first team squad with their contract issues. Key men nearing the final two years of their current deals include Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli. The long-term futures of Hale End breakthrough stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly also need securing.

The multi-lingual Berta has been taking English lessons so should fit in well. Arteta is fluent in Spanish as well as Italian so there will be no communication barrier there.

The ambition they both share is to be involved in the first Arsenal team in the history of the club to win the Champions League.