According to reports, Arsenal has reached an agreement to sign Andrea Berta as its new sports director after Edu of Emirates last November.
As reported by Mail Sport last year, Edu made a dramatic game in northern London after five years as part of the hierarchy of the club, playing a key role in recruitment and development of the disconcerting side of the title of Mikel Arteta.
The Brazilian was hired in 2019 as a technical director before seeing an promotion to the director of the sports director.
His departure was a blow to Arteta, who was anxious to add a striker to his squad in the last January transfer window, but entered in February empty.
Now, according to The AtléticoIt is understood that Berta and Arsenal have reached an agreement, although the Italian is one of several options in the short list of the gunners to replace Edu.
It was believed that the Arteta team was considering several options, such as Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, Thiago Scuro and former midfielder Tomas Rosicky.
According to reports, Arsenal has reached an agreement with the former sports director of Atlético de Madrid, Andrea Berta, to replace Edu after his departure in November 2024
During his five years at the club, Edu was fundamental in the construction of Mikel Arteta team
Berta has been considered a favorite in the short list of four men of the Gunners due to his experience in the capital of Spain, where he brought Julian Álvarez and Conor Gallagher
The operation was handled by the managing director Richard Garlick and executive vice president Tim Lewis, while Arteta and Josh Kroenke were also involved in the agreement.
Berta has been a key figure in Atlético de Madrid since his arrival in May 2013 as a technical director.
However, in July 2017, the Italian was promoted to the function of the sports director and has attracted the interest of multiple European sides since then.
An important role was played both in the arrivals and exits of Atlético, helping Diego Simeone to carry out one of the most successful spells of the club in its history during the last decade and more.
Berta left the Spanish capital in January after bringing several key players to the club during the summer transfer window, such as Julian Álvarez, Conor Gallagher, Robin Le Mornand and Alexander Sorgeh.
He began his career as a director in 2007, joined the Italian team Parma and led them to a promotion to the First Division in the next season.
In 2009, Berta joined Genoa, where he met the current manager of Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini, and was remembered for adding Rodrigo Palacio and Hernan Crespo to the team.
However, replacing Edu will not be an easy task. The Brazilian had a substantial impact on the team and was able to supervise a review that marked the exits of several very paid players, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had his contract completed after an acrimonious end of a few months in the Emirates.
Edu is ready to join the Network of Multiple Marinakis Evangelos Clubs, which includes Nottingham Forest
Previous reports indicated that Arsenal is waiting for the arrival of its new sports director to initiate conversations with Jonathan David, who is out of contract at the end of this period.
In his absence, Jason Ayto assumed an interim director and was also considered a full -time option.
It is understood that Edu will join the Multiple Network of Evangelos Marinakis, which includes Nottingham Forest, Rio Ave and Olympiacos.
After a silent winter transfer window, Arteta has addressed fans about the club waiting for a new sports director before completing any firm.
He said: “The club is doing the process that we believe is the best to try to find the person who is the best for the moment Arsenal is at this time, and that is what the club is trying to do.”
Previous Sky Sports reports described that the gunners are ready to enter the race for Jonathan David, who is not a contract at the end of this period, in the midst of his continuous interest of Benjamin Sesko and Jonathan David.
Alexander Isak was another striker who caught Arsenal's eyes due to his impressive form, scoring 19 goals and adding five assists in 24 Premier League games.
However, it is understood that the Club of Northern London is waiting for its new director to assume the position and present a proposal for David in the coming weeks.