‘Andrea Berta wants Premier League job as Arsenal line up ex-Atletico chief’
Arsenal are currently searching for Edu’s successor and former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta could be that figure based on his planned next move, according to The Times.
They have been without a sporting director since Edu’s departure from Arsenal in November following five years at the club.
He joined the network of clubs spearheaded by Evangelos Marinakis, owner of one of Arsenal’s top-four rivals this season, Nottingham Forest.
Edu, who was part of the Invincibles squad during the 2003/04 season, helped recruit the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and William Saliba, with his exit sending shockwaves throughout football.
Unsurprisingly, the Arsenal hierarchy are searching for someone to replace him, which is not an easy job, but it seems Berta could be closing in on a deal at the Emirates.
Andrea Berta taking steps towards Premier League move amid Arsenal interest
According to The Times [3 March], while no job has been officially offered yet, Berta is on the shortlist of potential candidates to work with Mikel Arteta.
The 53-year-old, who left Atletico after 12 years in January, was on the shortlist for the recently vacant AC Milan role, but has been learning English as he prefers a Premier League job.
One of Berta’s last significant roles for the La Liga giants was to help lure Conor Gallagher away from Chelsea, and his time in Spain has been successful so far.
Mikel Arteta can finally bring silverware to Arsenal with help from Andrea Berta
Arsenal supporters are slowly starting to turn on Arteta, with Arne Slot’s Liverpool set to lift the Premier League title and the Gunners unlikely to win the Champions League.
They were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle and the FA Cup by Man United, leading to a lot of frustration amongst the fanbase.
The club’s transfer decisions have been heavily scrutinised in recent seasons, especially with injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus leaving the team with no recognised striker.
Berta, who helped recruit the likes of Jan Oblak, David Villa and Antoine Griezmann at Atletico, could be an integral appointment if Arsenal are to see any success under Arteta.
It could be the final piece of the puzzle at the Emirates, especially if he is to have a help hand bringing in an out-and-out number nine to North London.