Arsenal has finally reached an agreement with a new sports director to replace Edu at Emirates Stadium after a long waiting for five months.
Although the Brazilian did not look regularly on the side of the field or in the stands, it was a key figure in the Mikel Arteta squad building.
His time with the Gunners, since his promotion in 2019, was marked by crucial ways of solving challenging tasks, such as forcing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave the club or the emergence of several key players, such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
But that ended: it is time for a new stage, a new sports director and, most importantly, new hopes. Andrea Berta may sound as an unknown name for most Premier League fans, but without a doubt, a reputation has been gained when it comes to sealing initially impossible offers.
The Italian will arrive at Emirates Stadium after spending more than a decade at Atlético de Madrid. Certainly, being successful in the National League, while Real Madrid is its neighbors, and Barcelona continues to win is not an easy task. Diego Simeone's team won LaLiga twice, and it is not surprising to happen at the same time that Berta was in the club.
A man behind the manager's shadow may be what Arsenal needs. The Arteta side was anxious to add a striker to the team during the winter transfer window, but entered February empty, something that has derails its thrust for the title of the Premier League.
In the light of his imminent arrival, Mail Sport has taken a look at Berta's record in the athletic transfers market.
Andrea Berta will become the new Arsenal Sports Director at the end of the Seaosn
During his five years at the club, Edu was fundamental in the construction of Mikel Arteta team
Berta has been a key figure of Atlético de Madrid's recent success since he joined in 2013
The best transfers
Antoine Griezmann
The team leader who has made 429 appearances for Atlético scored 197 goals and added 91 assists; Is there any possibility that I don't enter the list? It was a risky decision in the summer of 2014, after Berta decided to pay £ 29.4 million (35 million euros) for a young and 24 -year -old, the French tree of the Royal Society.
The rest is only history and only a penalty in the final of the 2015-16 Champions League against the rivals the whites distanced the player from a highly anticipated victory.
However, only a team leader like Griezmann can be forgiven for his mistakes, even for a two -year saga in Barcelona. The player turns 34 this month, but has not seen a drop in performance.
Antoine Griezmann joined Atlétic
Despite his previous conflict with Atlético fans due to his move to Barcelona in 2019, the Frenchman has undeniably became one of the best players in the history of the club.
Stick
Berta's second season after assuming the role of sports director in 2017 was marked by a very anticipated transfer in Spanish football. Rodri emerged as a young player but full of potential of the Villarreal Academy system that would fit perfectly in Diego Simeone's new game style.
After years of promoting the low block defensive line and the dependence of physical football instead of innovative tactics, the Argentine felt it was time for a change. Rodri was a key element of Simeone's transition, although he remained in the club for only one year.
However, it appeared in 47 games, with 34 in LaLiga, adding three goals and an assistance to its statistics.
Without a doubt, Rodri's initial development in the capital of Spain led to its transfer of £ 63 million to Manchester City in the summer of 2019 and a ball of or five years later.
Rodri spent only one year at Atlético after his Villarreal movement, but he was a perfect adjustment
His development in Atlético led to his success in Man City before winning a Golden Ball in 2024
Luis Suárez
It was not an easy time for everyone. Barcelona reached the peak of its financial crisis, while Atlético de Madrid fought without a world -class striker. However, a fast movement for Luis Suárez, who was ready to join Juventus, saw the Uruguayan reach the Metropolitan for £ 5.5 million in 2020.
The result is well documented: the gunman added another LaLiga title to his trophies room, while Barcelona, with Koeman, was limited to a Copa del Rey, often lacked the aptitude to Gol de Suárez.
After just one campaign at the club, Suarez described his decision to join Atlético as 'the best decision' he could have made, revealing that he had multiple offers before his output of Nou Camp.
Luis Suarez's firm was a key factor in the triumph of LaLiga del Atlético in the 2020-21 season
The Uruguayan shone to Diego Simeone's side, scoring 21 goals and adding three assists
José Giménez
Replacing the legendary defender Diego Godin is not an easy task, but José Giménez is still a key player for Simeone and has made 348 appearances for the club since 2013.
During his time at the club, Atlético has won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, a Europa League and a UEFA Supercup trophy.
Even only 30, Giménez has seen everything you could experience in football, and remains a leader in both the field and in the locker room.
Since he signed from the Uruguayan side of the Danube for only £ 755,000, this transfer has certainly been a success.
José Giménez is still a key player for Diego Simeone and has played 30 times this season
Giménez was part of Atlético's iconic defense with Diego Godin, Filipe Luis and Juanfran
Worst transfers
Joao Felix
How do we start with this? Joao Felix has fought since Atlético signed it for an incredible £ 115 million rate in the summer of 2020.
Despite the nine goals in his first campaign, he had problems in the following years and never seemed a good option for a coach like Simeone.
Even loan spells in Chelsea and Barcelona could not save their career. What is your best position in the field? Is it a second left, left or central front?
Xavi, Frank Lampard and Enzo Maresca could not discover it. In addition, a conflict with Diego Simeone did not improve the situation.
Felix concluded his career in the capital of Spain with 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 games, joining Chelsea last summer, who has since lent Ac Milan.
Joao Felix proved to be an absolute firm disaster after joining £ 115 million Benfica
After not impressing in Chelsea and Barcelona, the Portuguese is fighting in AC Milan
Thomas Lemar
In 2017, Thomas Lemar was one of the most hunted young players in European football after shining in Monaco.
He was linked to several of the best European clubs and Atlético paid a £ 62 million rate for the midfielder the following summer.
However, he has fought in Spain and Simeone has admitted its disappointment with the failure of French to have an impact.
Lemar's departure in the summer, or when he is out of contract in June 2027, seems inevitable, with the player making only five appearances this season.
Thomas Lemar has made only five appearances this season and is expected to leave
Diego Costa (second spell)
Several injuries and the arrival of Luis Suárez said that Diego Costa's return to the club was unhappy.
Simeone's team paid £ 58 million to sign at Costa again in 2017, which had shone during its first spell in the 2010-2014 club.
Only three years later, Costa had its terminated contract after falling through the hierarchical order.
Diego Costa saw his contract with Atlético finished since his second spell could not work
Jackson Martínez fought in his six months Atlético, before joining Guangzhou Evergrande
Jackson Martínez
Although Atlético de Madrid and, specifically, Andrea Berta assured a departure for Jackson Martínez to Guangzhou Evergrande, fans were surprised by their struggles on Simeone's side.
The expectations were high since the former international of Colombia joined as a talented and experienced striker who could replace Diego Costa in the number 9.
However, Martínez could not adapt to the Argentine system, he could not be linked to Griezmann, he often fought with injuries.
Only six months after joining for £ 25 million, the president of Atlético, Enrique Cerezo, admitted that Martínez was not at the level of the club and was sold to the Chinese team of the Super League Guangzhou Evergrande for £ 38.4 million, which means that the Spanish side obtained at least profits in the striker.