Arsenal Football Club has officially confirmed the appointment of Andrea Berta as the new sporting director, following the departure of Edu Gaspar last November.
Andrea Berta Takes the Helm
The 53-year-old Italian, formerly of Atlético Madrid, brings a wealth of experience to the North London side. Berta described the opportunity to work in the Premier League and with Arsenal as “too good to turn down.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club. I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.
The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters,” Berta said.
Arsenal conducted an extensive recruitment process, evaluating several high-calibre candidates before selecting Berta as the standout choice. He became available for hire in January after completing a 12-year tenure at Atlético Madrid.
In preparation for a role in English football, Berta had already been taking English lessons in London — a sign of his intent to make the transition to the Premier League.
The Gunners were keen to secure a candidate capable of building on Edu’s transformative five-year spell. Berta emerged as the preferred option due to his impressive track record in both talent acquisition and player development.
Berta’s influence at Atlético Madrid was instrumental to the club’s domestic and European success. Known for his sharp eye in the transfer market, he is widely respected for delivering strong returns on investment and maximising resources.
His approach earned accolades from football executives across Europe — not only for securing high-profile signings but for identifying undervalued talent that significantly contributed to Atlético’s competitive edge.
What Andrea Berta Brings to Arsenal
Peter Smith provided analysis on Berta’s arrival and the expectations surrounding his new role:
“Andrea Berta arrives from Atletico Madrid with an exciting reputation for Arsenal supporters in the transfer market. He also has a ringing endorsement from those he has done deals with, praised for his meticulous approach but also the way he conducts business”.
“The man who signed Rodri, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in bargain deals – and sold two of those three on at a substantial profit – will be expected to live up to that billing in north London. The pressure will be on to deliver a summer window which brings an out-and-out No 9 and a midfield refresh to allow Mikel Arteta’s team to take the final step in their pursuit of the Premier League title.”
“Berta inherits a talented young squad and a well-structured football operation. His task will be to apply the final touches — particularly in bolstering the attack and midfield — to elevate the Gunners to genuine title contenders.”
“Edu, Berta’s predecessor, overhauled the club with Arteta during his five-year spell at the helm. Now, with a talented young squad, including a depth of defensive options, the finishing touches need to be applied to turn Arsenal into champions.”
“Those missing pieces won’t be easy to find, with the striker market limited and expensive, and rivals also on the lookout for a ball-playing No 6. The latter will be a key position to address should Jorginho and Thomas Partey leave at the end of their current contracts, as expected.”
“A back-up in goal for David Raya, with Neto only on loan from Bournemouth, will also be a requirement. There will also be internal contracts to juggle, with star players Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes having just two years on their current terms by this summer, and youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri pushing to be rewarded for their impressive performances this season.”
“A source who has worked with Berta believes he will prove to be a shrewd appointment for Arsenal. If he can replicate his title-winning project at Atletico with the Gunners, his acquisition could be one of their best signings of all”.
Key Transfer Deals by Andrea Berta at Atlético Madrid
During his 12-year tenure as sporting director at Atlético Madrid, Andrea Berta built a reputation as one of Europe’s smartest football executives. Known for his ability to spot talent early, negotiate shrewdly, and generate profit, Berta helped transform Atlético into a consistent title challenger both domestically and in Europe.
Here’s a breakdown of some of his most impactful transfer deals – both in terms of value and performance.
Top Bargain Buys and Profitable Sales
Berta’s strategy was often based on identifying undervalued players, signing them at modest fees, and developing them into world-class talents. Some standout examples include:
1. Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann became a star under Diego Simeone and Berta’s management. His sale to Barcelona marked one of Atlético’s most profitable transactions, and re-signing him later at a fraction of the cost was a masterstroke.
- Signed from: Real Sociedad in 2014
- Fee: £24.8 million
- Sold to: Barcelona in 2019 for £103 million
- Bought back: In 2021 for just £16.5 million
2. Rodri
Rodri was a key midfield presence and his development in a short span allowed Atlético to cash in significantly, making him one of the most valuable holding midfielders in Europe.
- Signed from: Villarreal in 2018
- Fee: £16.5 million
- Sold to: Manchester City in 2019 for £62.5 million
3. Jan Oblak
Oblak became one of the world’s best goalkeepers under Berta’s oversight and remains a key figure in Atlético’s success.
- Signed from: Benfica in 2014
- Fee: £13 million
4. Luis Suárez
Although already a proven striker, signing Suárez at such a low cost paid off immediately as he helped the club win the 2020–21 La Liga title.
- Signed from: Barcelona in 2020
- Fee: £5.5 million
Other Notable Signings
| Player | Signed From | Fee | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcos Llorente | Real Madrid | £35m | Key midfielder and versatile attacking asset |
| Kieran Trippier | Tottenham | £20m | Solidified the right-back position |
| José Giménez | Danubio (Uruguay) | €995,000 | Became a defensive stalwart |
| Stefan Savić | Fiorentina | €12m | Reliable centre-back across multiple seasons |
Major Investments
Though known for bargains, Berta was not afraid to make bold, expensive moves when necessary:
- Joao Felix – £113 million (Benfica, 2019): One of the most high-profile transfers in Atlético’s history.
- Julian Alvarez – £82 million (from Man City, 2024): A marquee signing to add firepower up front.
- Thomas Lemar – £63.2 million (Monaco, 2018): Though inconsistent, his signing showed Berta’s intent to compete with Europe’s elite.
- Diego Costa – £57 million (Chelsea, 2017): Returned for a second spell and brought aggression and experience.
Andrea Berta’s work at Atlético Madrid reflects a clear eye for talent, a disciplined transfer policy, and an ability to blend financial strategy with footballing ambition. His approach balanced bargain buys with the occasional big-money splash — always aimed at creating a competitive, financially sustainable team.
His impressive CV makes him a perfect fit for Arsenal, where the challenge now lies in replicating this model to take the Gunners back to the top of English and European football.
