Arsenal sign one of ‘three best in the world’

Carlo Garganese

• 12 Mar 2025 10:30 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Arsenal are hiring one of the three best sporting directors in the world in Andrea Berta.

That is according to Luis Rondriguez, a long-time collaborator of Berta who has spent over three decades as a technical director at clubs such as Liverpool, Villarreal and Alaves.

Berta has agreed to become the new sporting director of Arsenal, with reports that the move could be made official in the next 24-48 hours.

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And Rodriguez believes that Arsenal are hiring one of the best on the planet in his role.

“Andrea Berta is one of the three best sporting directors in the world,” Rodriguez said in an interview with Marca last month that has not been publicised much in the English-speaking world.

“The level of Atletico Madrid today is his legacy.

“He gave his all, he started in the morning and would continue working into the night.

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“Andrea is unheralded, yet he has many virtues. He leads by example, he has no limits, and he has a capacity for taking on new challenges and developing that few others possess.”

“It won't be easy for Atletico Madrid to maintain the level of the squads Berta has put together.”

Berta left Atletico Madrid by mutual consent in January, following 11 years in La Liga.

The Transfers Podcast revealed last week that Andrea Berta had ended talks with AC Milan as he had received an offer to become Arsenal’s new sporting director.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE HERE

Berta has now accepted the offer and will become Arsenal's new sporting director, replacing Edu after the Brazilian departed the club in November.

The Italian rejected an offer from AC Milan, who wanted him to become their new sporting director. The Rossoneri will now turn to other options such as former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare and ex-Tottenham and Juventus transfer director Fabio Paratici.

Andrea Berta to Arsenal

The Gunners have been searching for a new sporting director since Edu’s resignation in November 2024, and they identified Berta as the top candidate for the role following his immense spell at Atletico Madrid.

The 53-year-old has recently been improving his English language skills in London, with a view to joining a Premier League club.

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Luis Campos, Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, Tomas Rosicky and Thiago Scuro were also linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent months.

Jason Ayto has been Arsenal’s interim sporting director since Edu’s departure.

Andrea Berta at Atletico Madrid

During his time at Atletico Madrid, Berta helped the club secure the signings of several world-class players, including Rodri, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak.

He also played a pivotal role in their impressive 2024 summer transfer window, with Julian Alvarez, Robin Le

Normand, Conor Gallagher and Alexander Sorloth all arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano last year.