While writing this, the expectation was that Arsenal were finally set to unveil their new Sporting Director, Andrea Berta.
There’s plenty of excitement around what the former Atlético Madrid Sporting Director will bring to the Emirates Stadium. Known for his knack for sealing big signings like Rodri, Jan Oblak, Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo De Paul, and João Félix, the Italian certainly has a reputation for getting transfers right.
While fans may be hoping for Berta to revolutionise Arsenal’s transfer strategy after two underwhelming windows, there’s one immediate issue he must address before diving into new signings.
Consider the situation at Liverpool, where Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. Mohammed Salah, who has carried Liverpool to league glory this season, is also set to depart on a free, as is Virgil van Dijk.
With these three departing as free agents, Liverpool are set to lose more than £100m (they could have pocketed) in potential transfer fees—funds that could have been reinvested in their squad. Such a scenario highlights the importance of securing long-term deals for key players.
For Berta, the lesson is clear: his first move at Arsenal must be to stamp his authority by tying Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba to new long-term contracts. The contracts for this key trio currently expire in 2027, and Arsenal cannot afford to risk losing them without substantial compensation. Mikel Arteta’s project can’t afford a Trent, Salah, or Van Dijk summer 2025, scenario in two years.
Securing these players to extended deals ensures Arsenal won’t lose them on free transfers. If Real Madrid were to pursue Saliba or Al Nassr were interested in Gabriel, they’d have to break the bank—funds Arsenal could then reinvest in high-quality replacements.
What do you think? Is Andrea Berta’s first victory at Arsenal ensuring the futures of the club’s key players before diving into headline signings like Alexander Isak?
Michelle M
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Please change the tagline. The extensions are not Berta’s first Arsenal win. They would be if they were done. I was so happy as I assumed we had done something great and unexpected as we had announced Berta and also the 3 very much needed extensions. Then I started reading the article and wondered if I was wasting my time with a Football Insider story.
Agreed. It was misleading.
Good article for me, one of Berta’s priorities must must be tying down the trio to new contracts. I hope he will be an upgrade to Edu. Edu did a lot of bad transfers for me Mika Biereth for example.
I think Arsenal didn’t sign a new player in January because they must allocate the wage bill for the contract extensions of Saka, Saliba and Magalhaes
If they don’t sign the new contracts in the summer, they will have to get transfer-listed and this will be the challenging task of Berta
Berta is a genius. If he made wonders with Atletico’s little funds, he would do exceptional things with Arsenal’s comparatively vast resources and the stability Arsenal are renowned to offer for the coaching staff. He only made one mistake in Felix maybe. Berta in my mother tongue means ‘come on, be strong’. I wish him that. I feel he perfectly dovetails with Arteta. Both are energetic full of passion.
Things can only get Berta.
🤣🤣 🤦♂️
Very good Neutral
Berta, must work closely with Mikel to ensure that who ever is signed will definitely contribute squad.
Otherwise I am positive that Berta, is a good addition to the club and his experience will assist in terms of pushing the the club forward.