Arsenal have finally reached an agreement with a new sporting director to replace Edu at the Emirates Stadium after a long wait of five months.
Although the Brazilian was not regularly seen on the pitch side or in the stands, he was a key figure in Mikel Arteta‘s squad building.
His time with the Gunners, since his promotion in 2019, was marked by crucial ways to resolve challenging tasks, such as forcing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the club or the rise of several key players, such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
But that is over: it is time for a new stage, a new sporting director and most importantly, new hopes. Andrea Berta may sound like an unknown name for most Premier League fans, but undeniably, he has gained a reputation when it comes to sealing initially thought-impossible deals.
The Italian is set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium after spending more than a decade at Atletico Madrid. Certainly, having success in the domestic league while Real Madrid are your neighbours, and Barcelona continue winning is no easy task. Diego Simeone‘s side won LaLiga twice, and it is no wonder that it occurred at the same time Berta was at the club.
A man behind the manager’s shadow may be what Arsenal needs. Arteta’s side were keen to add a striker to the squad during the winter transfer window but entered February empty-handed, something that has derailed their Premier League title push.
In light of his impending arrival, Mail Sport have taken a look at Berta’s record in the transfer market at Atletico.
Andrea Berta is set to become Arsenal’s new sporting director at the end of the seaosn
During his five years at the club, Edu was fundamental in the building of Mikel Arteta’s squad
Berta has been key figure to Atletico Madrid’s recent success ever since he joined in 2013
Best Transfers
Antoine Griezmann
The team leader who has made 429 appearances for Atletico scored 197 goals and added 91 assists; is there any chance he wouldn’t enter the list? It was a risky decision back in the summer of 2014, after Berta decided to pay £29.4million (€35m) for a young, 24 years of age, French forward from Real Sociedad.
The rest is just history and only a penalty miss in 2015-16 Champions League final against rivals Los Blancos distanced the player from a highly anticipated triumph.
However, only a team leader such as Griezmann can be forgiven for his mistakes – even for a two-year Barcelona saga. Th player turns 34 this month but hasn’t seen a drop in performance.
Antoine Griezmann joined Atletico in the summer of 2014 from Real Sociedad for £29.4m
Despite his previous conflict with Atletico fans due to his move to Barcelona in 2019, the Frenchman has undeniably become one of the greatest players in the club’s history
Rodri
Berta’s second season after taking over the sporting director role in 2017 was marked by a highly expected transfer in Spanish football. Rodri emerged as a young yet full of potential player from the Villarreal academy system who would perfectly fit Diego Simeone’s new style of play.
After years of promoting the low-block defensive line and reliance on physical football rather than innovative tactics, the Argentinian felt it was time for a change. Rodri was a key element of Simeone’s transition, although he remained at the club for only a year.
However, he featured in 47 games, with 34 coming in LaLiga, adding three goals and one assist to his statistics.
Undeniably, Rodri’s initial development in the capital of Spain led to his £63m move to Manchester City in the summer of 2019 and a Ballon d’Or five years later.
Rodri spent just one year at Atletico following his move from Villarreal but he was a perfect fit
His development at Atletico led to his success at Man City before he won a Ballon d’Or in 2024
Luis Suarez
It wasn’t an easy time for everyone. Barcelona reached the peak of their financial crisis, while Atletico Madrid struggled without a world-class striker. However, a swift move for Luis Suarez – who was set to join Juventus saw the Uruguayan arrive at the Metropolitano for £5.5m in 2020.
The result is well-documented: El Pistolero added another LaLiga title to his trophy room, while Barcelona, with Koeman, were limited to a Copa del Rey, often lacking Suarez’s goalscoring aptness.
After just one campaign at the club, Suarez described his decision to join Atletico as ‘the best decision’ he could have ever made, revealing he had multiple offers before his exit from Nou Camp.
Luis Suarez’s signing was a key factor in Atletico’s LaLiga triumph in the 2020-21 season
The Uruguayan shone for Diego Simeone’s side, scoring 21 goals and adding three assists
Jose Gimenez
Replacing legendary defender Diego Godin is not an easy task but Jose Gimenez remains a key player for Simeone and has made 348 appearances for the club since 2013.
During his time at the club, Atletico have won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, one Europa League and one UEFA SuperCup trophy.
Still only 30, Gimenez has seen everything you could experience in football, and he remains a leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Given he signed from Uruguayan side Danube for just £755,000, this transfer has most certainly been a success.
Jose Gimenez remains a key player for Diego Simeone and he has played 30 times this season
Gimenez was part of Atletico’s iconic defence with Diego Godin, Filipe Luis and Juanfran
Worst Transfers
Joao Felix
How do we start on this one? Joao Felix has struggled ever since Atletico signed him for an unbelievable fee of £115m in the summer of 2020.
Despite nine goals in his first campaign he struggled in the following years and never looked a good fit for a coach like Simeone.
Even loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona couldn’t save his career. What is his best position on the field? Is he a second striker, left winger, or central forward?
Xavi, Frank Lampard, and Enzo Maresca could not find it out. Furthermore, 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 have since loaned him out to AC Milan.
Joao Felix proved to be an absolute disaster of a signing after joining for £115m from Benfica
After failing to impress at Chelsea and Barcelona, the Portuguese is struggling at AC Milan
Thomas Lemar
In 2017 Thomas Lemar was one of European football’s most hunted young players after shining at Monaco.
He was linked to several top European clubs and and Atletico paid a £62million fee for the midfielder the following summer.
However, he has struggled in Spain and Simeone has admitted his disappointment with the Frenchman’s failure to make an impact.
Lemar’s departure in the summer – or when he will be out of contract in June 2027 – seems inevitable, with the player making just 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 Suarez ensured that Diego Costa’s return to the club was an unhappy one.
Simeone’s side paid £58m to re-sign Costa in 2017, who had shone during his first spell at the club from 2010-2014.
Just three years later, Costa had his contract terminated after falling down the pecking order.
Diego Costa saw his contract with Atletico terminated as his second spell failed to work out
Jackson Martinez struggled in his six months Atletico, before joining Guangzhou Evergrande
Jackson Martinez
Although Atletico Madrid and, specifically, Andrea Berta secured an exit for Jackson Martinez to Guangzhou Evergrande, fans were left shocked by his struggles for Simeone’s side.
Expectations were high as the former Colombia international joined as a talented and experienced striker who could replace Diego Costa in the No 9 spot.
However, Martinez couldn’t adapt to the Argentinian’s system, failed to link up with Griezmann, and often fought with injuries.
Just six months after joining for £25m, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo admitted that Martinez ‘was not at the level’ of the club and he was sold to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande for £38.4m, meaning the Spanish side did at least make a profit on the striker.
