A senior Sky Sports reporter has revealed inside information on Arsenal have agreed a deal with highly rated Brazilian teenager after Andrea Berta who will become the club’s new sporting director.

Arsenal has reached an agreement to appoint Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, a move that is being hailed as potentially one of their most significant signings to date.

A senior reporter from Sky Sports has shared exclusive insights regarding Berta’s appointment, detailing the Premier League club that Arsenal outmaneuvered, the reasons behind Berta’s choice of Arsenal, the preparatory steps he has already undertaken, and five lesser-known transfers he will be responsible for.

The Gunners evaluated numerous candidates, with David Ornstein confirming that individuals such as Jason Ayto, Dan Ashworth, Thiago Scuro, and Roberto Olabe were all considered.

Ultimately, Arsenal decided that the 53-year-old former Atletico Madrid director was the ideal candidate to advance the club’s ambitions. Berta’s contract is nearing completion, and he will be ready to commence his duties immediately upon signing.

Following a successful tenure at Atletico Madrid, it was reported that Berta was also a contender for positions at PSG and Manchester United, the latter of which is currently without a sporting director after parting ways with Dan Ashworth in December.

The report indicated that Berta viewed the opportunity to work at Arsenal and in the Premier League as an irresistible prospect.

With his sights set on England, he had already begun taking English lessons in London prior to finalizing his agreement with the club.

Peter Smith, a senior reporter at Sky Sports, provided further context on what Arsenal supporters can anticipate from Berta.

He noted, “Andrea Berta comes to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid with a reputation that excites fans in the transfer market.”

Smith highlighted Berta’s strong endorsements from previous collaborators, who commend his thorough approach and business acumen.

The director, known for securing deals for players like Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, and Jan Oblak at favorable prices, is expected to replicate that success in his new role at Arsenal.

The upcoming summer transfer window will be crucial for Arsenal as they aim to secure a dedicated striker and rejuvenate their midfield, enabling Mikel Arteta’s squad to make a decisive push for the Premier League title.

Edu, who previously worked alongside Arteta, significantly transformed the club during his five-year tenure. With a promising young team and a solid defensive lineup already in place, the final adjustments are necessary to elevate Arsenal to championship status.

However, identifying these key additions will pose a challenge, as the market for strikers is both limited and costly, while competitors are also seeking a skilled ball-playing No. 6. This position becomes increasingly vital if Jorginho and Thomas Partey depart at the conclusion of their contracts, as anticipated. Additionally, securing a backup goalkeeper for David Raya is essential, especially since Neto is currently on loan from Bournemouth.

Attention will be focused on the new arrivals and the number of signings Berta will make this summer. Nonetheless, Smith emphasized the importance of not overlooking the five new contracts for key players already in north London.

There will also be internal contract negotiations, as prominent players like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes will have only two years remaining on their current deals by this summer. Meanwhile, young talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are eager to be recognized for their outstanding performances this season, as noted by Smith.

A source familiar with Berta’s work believes he will be a wise choice for Arsenal. If he can replicate his successful title-winning strategy from Atletico Madrid with the Gunners, his appointment could prove to be one of the club’s most significant signings.

Andrea Berta’s five best signings

Rodri

Rodri, who emerged from Atletico Madrid’s academy, was released in 2013 due to concerns about his physicality and subsequently joined Villarreal.

Berta re-signed the midfielder in the summer of 2018 for an initial fee of €20 million, with an additional €5 million in potential bonuses.

He made an immediate impact by winning the UEFA Super Cup in his first match and went on to make 34 appearances in La Liga during the 2018/19 season, helping the team secure a second-place finish in Spain’s premier division.

His standout performances attracted interest from multiple clubs, leading Manchester City to activate the £62.8 million release clause in his contract.

The Spain international has had a successful career at the Etihad, culminating in winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Antoine Griezmann

In the summer of 2014, Berta opted to forgo Atletico’s pre-season tour to focus on transfers, successfully bringing Griezmann from Real Sociedad for €30 million.

Over the next five seasons, he flourished, amassing 133 goals and 50 assists across 257 matches in all competitions.

Atletico profited €90 million when Barcelona activated the €120 million release clause in his contract in 2019.

However, after struggling to meet expectations, Griezmann returned to Atletico on an initial loan in 2021, which was later converted to a permanent transfer for €20 million.

Jan Oblak

Following Thibaut Courtois’ departure to Chelsea at the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, Berta pinpointed Oblak as the perfect successor and secured a €16 million deal with Benfica.

The Slovenia international has since made over 450 appearances for Atletico and is widely recognized as one of the top goalkeepers globally

“Oblak was a gamble taken by Andrea Berta, Atletico’s sporting director,” journalist Fran Guillen remarked.

“I recall watching him in the Benfica squad during the 2014 Europa League final against Sevilla, and while he appeared to be a competent goalkeeper, he didn’t stand out as exceptional.

“His challenge was to help us move on from Thibaut Courtois, who had set a very high standard at Atleti. It seemed like a daunting task, but he has far surpassed those expectations.”

Following his dismissal as surplus to requirements by Barcelona’s then-manager Ronald Koeman in 2020, Luis Suarez appeared poised to transfer to Juventus. However, the agreement fell through, prompting the striker to reach out to Berta through a mutual acquaintance, which ultimately led to a two-year contract with Atletico Madrid.

During his tenure at the club over the next two seasons, he netted 34 goals in 83 matches, including 21 goals in the 2020/21 season, which propelled Atletico to the La Liga championship.

“Barcelona did not appreciate my worth, and Atletico welcomed me with open arms, allowing me to continue demonstrating my abilities,” remarked the former Uruguay international. “I will always be thankful to this club for believing in me.”

Yannick Carrasco

After Atletico’s attempt to acquire Nicolas Gaitan from Benfica fell through in 2015, Berta redirected his focus to Carrasco, finalizing a €20 million transfer from Monaco.

“It caught everyone off guard since Gaitan was Simeone’s primary target,” noted journalist Eduardo Castelao. “It was Andrea Berta who introduced Carrasco’s name into the discussion.

“At that time, he was only recognized for a few standout moments with Monaco. The signing was entirely unexpected, and there was uncertainty regarding how he would adapt to Simeone’s rigorous expectations. It was a gamble.”

The Belgian international made a significant impact during his initial stint at the club, contributing to 40 goals directly, including an equalizer in the 2016 Champions League final against Real Madrid.