Andrea Berta is set to be appointed as Arsenal’s new sporting director (Image: Getty)
appear to be on the verge of appointing Andrea Berta as their new sporting director to replace , who left in November, and his arrival could trigger a flurry of incomings. The Italian negotiator worked with Parma and Genoa before joining Atletico Madrid in 2013, where he worked 12 years – spending eight as their sporting director. There have been some major hits – re-signing Antoine Griezmann back from Barcelona and nabbing Rodri from Villarreal for a modest fee. On the other side, Joao Felix’s £112million move from Benfica in 2019 is probably the biggest failure that Berta can foot the blame for.
Jason Ayto, who was Edu’s assistant, was placed in temporary charge of ’s affairs while the Premier League outfit have searched for his successor. But after the failure to land a striker in January, Berta looks set to be drafted in to handle their transfer business ahead of the summer window.
Express Sport looks at five players he could look to sign this summer, using his connections in Spain and Italy.
Matheus Cunha
Former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadere believes Wolves star Matheus Cunha could be one of the top targets if Berta arrives as expected. Cunha was brought to the Spanish capital in a £21m deal, only for the Brazilian to struggle in La Liga and seal a loan move to Molineux with an obligation to buy for £44m. The 25-year-old is arguably the most important player for Vitor Pereira’s side, scoring 13 goals this season, and Aliadere suggested his form for a struggling team indicates he would be a sensible purchase – with a reported release clause allowing him to leave for £62.5m.
“Berta knows Cunha from their time at Atletico Madrid and it could be a deal that goes through,” he told AceOdds.com. “He’s having a great season in a team that’s struggling to fight relegation. That shows you how good he is and how quickly he’s adapted to the Premier League. He could be a good signing too.”
Matheus Cunha has scored 13 goals for Wolves this season (Image: Getty)
Nico Williams
The Athletic Bilbao winger has been on ‘s radar for several years and this summer could represent the first opportunity where a switch is on the cards. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with Barcelona last summer, but the Blaugrana were unable to produce the finances to sign him. Now the Spain international is considering his options again – and a move away from his boyhood club can’t be ruled out.
are also keen on the explosive winger, who has score three goals and assisted another five this season. Williams may prove to be the pacy, tricky operator have been missing from the left side, with doubts over Gabriel Martinelli’s consistency and Leandro Trossard on the wrong side of 30. Berta would’ve watched Williams closely against his former employers and may recommend moving for him this summer to bolster their attacking options.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has been on Arsenal’s radar for several years (Image: Getty)
Samuele Ricci
It was reported in October that and were both keen on signing Samuele Ricci. If they miss out on Martin Zubimendi, who remains a target for Real Madrid, turning to Torino’s midfield marvel could be a smart choice.
The Italy central midfielder looks poised to depart this summer in favour of joining a bigger club. Italy’s biggest clubs including Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma are all keen, but the 24-year-old could be tempted by a move to the Premier League to join . Berta’s connections with the Italian market are firmly established and with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both set to leave on free transfers in June, they have a Ricci-sized hole to fill in the middle of the park.
Samuele Ricci could provide a long-term midfield option for Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Alex Baena
Reportedly on the radar of Atletico Madrid, the Villarreal wide man, 23, has enjoyed a fine season for the Yellow Submarines. He had six goals and seven assists in 23 appearances in La Liga this season, making him one of the top contributors in the division.
The likes of Aston Villa and United have also been strongly linked with Baena, while have been credited with an interest as they look to improve their depth on the left side. Villarreal told Baena and his repesentatives they wanted a £38m fee to allow him to leave in January, which offers a relatively modest price for a player with a big future in Spain.
Baena revealed in December that he would consider leaving Villarreal for a ‘top-10 club’, which could hand the advantage to over their Premier League rivals. “I’ve always said that, to leave Villarreal, it has to be a better team. And, for me, that has to be a top ten team in the world,” he told Onda Cero. “Villarreal is the club of my life and, if one day that offer comes, we’ll sit down and talk and see what’s best for both of us.”
Alex Baena has been one of La Liga’s most lethal creators this season (Image: Getty)
Joan Garcia
Signing goalkeepers is a rarity in modern football, and while will be perfectly content with David Raya’s work, there is a lot of work ahead to find the perfect No. 2 to provide backup.
The north London side signed Neto from Bournemouth on deadline day in August, but the Brazilian’s haphazard debut suggested he can’t be trusted to fill in. Tommy Setford and Jack Porter lack the experience to play at the level required right now, so need to find a replacement.
Garcia, 23, was one of their targets in January, although Espanyol’s demands warded off potential suitors. However, talks have taken place ahead of a summer move and Berta may be well-placed to bring this deal home, believed to be worth around £20m.