Andrea Berta: What can Arsenal fans expect from new sporting director?

It is reported that Andrea Berta is expected to arrive in the UK early next week, at which point Arsenal will formally announce him as the club's new sporting director. Berta had previously been in extensive negotiations to permanently succeed Edu, who left the Emirates Stadium at the end of 2024.

Following the departure of Brazilian Edu, his deputy, Jason Ayto, was appointed as interim sporting director and was a strong contender for the position. Real Sociedad's Roberto Olabe and former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth were also candidates for the role.

However, Berta will ultimately become the club's new sporting director. Arsenal are currently working to formally announce the news, with the Italian expected to arrive in North London within the next 72 hours to officially begin working with the Gunners. The club hopes he will be in attendance for Tuesday's Premier League match against Fulham.

The 53-year-old Berta is renowned as one of the most astute sporting directors in European football. He previously worked for Italian clubs Parma and Genoa before joining Atletico Madrid in 2013, initially as technical director. During his time in the Spanish capital, Berta played a key role in the signings of players such as Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, and Jan Oblak.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport: "He is very unique compared to other sporting directors. He didn't have a playing career, initially worked in banking, and then entered football, first at amateur club Caperanese, then at Parma and Genoa, where he established important connections with Peter Kenyon and Jorge Mendes."

Balague added: "Under his leadership, Atletico Madrid won two La Liga titles (2013-14, 2020-21), one Copa del Rey (2013), one Europa League title (2017-18), and one European Super Cup (2018). He is considered the architect of the team's rebuilding after the decline of the title-winning squad in 2014."

Working alongside head coach Diego Simeone, Berta helped Atletico Madrid make some shrewd signings during that rebuilding process. French forward Griezmann joined from Real Sociedad for £24.8 million in 2014 and was sold to Barcelona for £103 million five years later. Atletico Madrid then re-signed him in 2021 for just £16.5 million. Spanish midfielder Rodri, now a Ballon d'Or contender, signed for £16.5 million in 2018 and was sold to Manchester City for £62.5 million the following year, while Slovenian goalkeeper Oblak joined from Benfica for just £13 million in 2014. He is now widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Balague also added: "He brought in key players such as Griezmann (twice), Luis Suarez, Kieran Trippier, Llorente, De Paul, and Julian Alvarez, but there were also some mistakes like Joao Felix, Kalinic, Arias, Torreira, but he always worked within the club's financial constraints. Since 2017, he has completed a total of 52 signings, spending approximately €828 million (£692 million), leaving a significant mark on Atletico Madrid's squad. It's the end of an era for them."

Berta will need to address several issues immediately upon taking office. The primary and most obvious task is to ensure Arsenal bring in a much-needed striker. The Gunners' key attacking players have suffered multiple injuries this season, and they have not signed a striker in the last two transfer windows. While Kai Havertz has performed admirably in filling that void, Arsenal's need for a natural goalscorer is sometimes apparent.

RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko has long been a target, while Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has also been linked with a move to North London. However, Eddie Howe's Magpies are vying for a Champions League spot, making a deal for Isak expensive and more difficult to achieve.

There is also a view that Arteta's side may need a talented player capable of creating opportunities against teams that adopt a low block in the Premier League.

Berta needs to address more than just signings. It is an important summer for the club, with key players Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes all entering the final two years of their contracts. Berta needs to ensure these players renew their contracts so that Arteta can continue to build on the impressive work he and the team have done.

There are also some players who need to be moved on. Oleksandr Zinchenko's position in the team has been further diminished following the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the Gunners would be willing to let him leave in January if a suitable offer is received. This is an exciting project for any sporting director, but with the Gunners challenging for trophies in recent years, they cannot afford to make any mistakes this summer.