Arsenal strike deal to hire new sporting director | OneFootball

Arsenal have reached an agreement to hire former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, a report has revealed.

The Gunners were rocked by the surprise resignation of former director Edu Gaspar in November and, after a disappointing January transfer window in which they failed to bolster Mikel Arteta's squad, have moved quickly to wrap up a deal for Berta.

The Athletic state that Berta turned down a number of high-level clubs in favour of making the move to Arsenal, having spent the past few months learning English in anticipation of heading to the Premier League.

Berta, 53, broke into the game in his native Italy and caught the eye with both Parma and Genoa, but his reputation rose dramatically following his move to Atletico Madrid in 2013.

Initially beginning as a technical director, Berta transitioned into a sporting director role four years later and oversaw a number of high profile transfers, including the arrivals of Diego Costa, Rodri, Thomas Lemar, Joao Felix, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.

Berta was also involved in several lucrative sales for Atletico, including Thomas Partey's £45m move to Arsenal in 2020.

He stepped down from his role in November, with his departure formally recognised two months later, as Berta eyed a change of scenery. That period out of the game has now seen him take his talents to Arsenal.

Central to Berta's immediate plans will be the search for a new striker. Arteta is a huge fan of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak but the likes of Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko also have plenty of admirers inside the Emirates Stadium. Many others have also been linked ahead of what should be a fascinating summer window.