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The signing Andrea Berta made that shows he can finally solve Mikel Arteta’s striker problem at Arsenal

Srinivas Sadhanand

Mon 3 March 2025 10:15, UK

After months of speculation surrounding which sporting director will replace Edu Gaspar at Arsenal, Andrea Berta seems to be the leading candidate.

Arsenal are in “advanced talks” to appoint Berta but the deal is yet to be sealed.

The Italian businessman only left his role as Atletico Madrid’s sporting director in January this year.

Interestingly, Mikel Arteta was pushing for Luis Campos’ appointment.

Sporting director Roberto Olabe was on Arsenal’s radar as well.

But Andrea Berta has now become their top target to fulfil the vacancy at Arsenal.

Andrea Berta signing Julian Alvarez proves he can fix Arsenal’s striker problem

Berta’s track record of making brilliant signings cannot be called into question.

The likes of Jan Oblak, Antoine Griezmann, David Villa and Rodri all proved to be outstanding additions during Berta’s tenure at Atletico Madrid.

Considering the Spanish giants are known not to have the financial resources that Real Madrid and Barcelona have, the fact that they were able to compete with both clubs for so many years is down to Andrea Berta’s unique eye for talent and Diego Simeone’s incredible tactical acumen.

But the one signing Berta made that would encourage Arsenal the most in recent memory is that of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of a top-class number nine, which Edu Gaspar was unable to deliver during his time at the Emirates Stadium.

But in Alvarez, Andrea Berta has given Diego Simeone a goalscorer to work with who was young at the time (22 when signed) with a proven track record in Europe for City as well as one who has gone on to become one of their main men — scoring 21 goals in all competitions during his debut season.

When Atletico Madrid signed Alvarez, a £64 million () up front for him with add-ons that could rise up to £82 million seemed like an extremely risky deal for a striker who was a backup to Erling Haaland for one season and largely deployed as an attacking midfielder in his second.

But what will excite Arsenal and Mikel Arteta is that in the World Cup winner, Andrea Berta signed a number nine who fit Diego Simeone’s style of play like a glove and was willing to take a calculated gamble in the transfer market that has worked like a treat.

TBR Football have been informed that Berta’s signing of Alvarez is considered as one of the best deals he has ever done during his spell at the Spanish capital by Atletico Madrid. Mikel Arteta wants a physical striker at Arsenal who can be their “focal point”; a merit he will be hoping Andrea Berta can live up to provided he is handed the Gunners job.

Five strikers Andrea Berta could sign at Arsenal

In an ideal world, Andrea Berta would just bring Alvarez to Arsenal, who would fit Arteta’s style of play as he is an excellent presser, a proven goalscorer, capable of leading the line and having been coached by Pep Guardiola.

However, the two-time Premier League winner is loving life at Atletico Madrid, having only signed for them last summer and could win La Liga in his debut campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s top target is Alexander Isak, who Andrea Berta should do everything in his power to sign should he become Arsenal’s new sporting director. Furthermore, Arsenal are confident about signing Benjamin Sesko and Berta could perhaps work his charm to bring the RB Leipzig marksman to the Emirates Stadium as well.

With Manchester United reluctant to sign Viktor Gyokeres as he will turn 27 in June, he is another striker who the former Atletico Madrid sporting director should target if he makes a move to London. Arsenal are aiming to sign Ollie Watkins in the summer, who could be another target for Andrea Berta.

Arsenal tried signing Dusan Vlahovic in January, who is the fifth centre-forward Berta could try luring into a move to North London.