Arsenal plan talks for £80m striker who Berta tried to sign for Atletico

Arsenal are planning to open initial transfer talks for a marquee striker who potential new sporting director, Andrea Berta, tried to sign during his time at Atlético Madrid.

Andrea Berta closing in on Arsenal sporting director role

Five months after Edu Gaspar’s resignation as sporting director, it is believed Mikel Arteta could soon welcome a brand-new transfer chief.

Berta, who left Atlético in January, is available for hire and Arsenal are reported to be closing in on his appointment as Edu’s replacement in the Gunners boardroom.

Some media sources claim Berta to Arsenal is “all but done” after advanced talks with the 53-year-old, and in predictable fashion, transfer rumours have swiftly followed news of Berta’s pending arrival at the Emirates.

Ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere suggested that Berta could use his Atlético connections to help Arsenal strike a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, and he adds that the director’s possible arrival is a “very, very exciting” one.

“He has great experience and has been at Atlético Madrid for 12 years,” said Aliadiere (via The Metro

“If you look at the signings he has made and what the club has achieved, it is very exciting. Very, very exciting.

‘If we look at the job Edu has done from when he came in and where Arsenal were, the signings he has made, I think he has done very well. You don’t work at Atletico alongside Diego Simeone if you’re not very good at your job, so I am very excited. But of course, we hope to sign some big players now.”

Some supporters will be hoping Berta’s influence can indeed assist Arsenal in their pursuit of a new number nine, whether that be Cunha or another high-profile name.

Arsenal lost Gabriel Jesus to a long-term ACL injury earlier this season, with some reports claiming he could even be out until 2026, while Kai Havertz is set to miss the rest of this Premier League season.

Arsenal planning initial talks to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke and Football Insider, £268,000-per-week Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is now on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist as a striking option, and Berta is a “huge fan” of the player.

As per O’Rourke, Berta attempted to lure the Argentine to Atlético when he was overseeing transfers at the Wanda Metropolitano, and Arsenal are now set to open preliminary talks to sign Martinez.

With Berta on the way to north London, Arsenal are laying the groundwork over a “mega-money” deal for Martinez, which other reports state could cost Arteta’s side up to £80 million to get over the line.

The 27-year-old World Cup winner currently captains the Nerazzurri and is a crucial player for Simone Inzaghi, having scored 17 goals across all competitions already this season.

Martinez has showcased impressive proficiency over his many seasons at the San Siro, and the South American still has fours years left to run on his contract, making this a potentially costly operation.