ARSENAL’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has compiled a four-man striker wishlist ahead of a huge summer rebuild.
The former Atletico Madrid chief will help bring “major trophies” to the Emirates.
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Berta, 53, replaces Edu following his resignation last November.
He is expected to attend the Gunners’ Premier League clash at home to Fulham on Tuesday.
The Italian, who left his role at Atletico in January, will be tasked with bringing in an elite No 9.
There’s a crucial summer ahead for Mikel Arteta’s men as Arsenal try to win a first Prem title since 2003-04.
Arsenal are eyeing up Eintracht Frankfurt hitman Hugo Ekitike as an alternative to £150m-rated Newcastle star Alexander Isak.
Isak has enjoyed a stunning season in the North East, netting in the Carabao Cup final and scoring 19 times in the league.
The Swede, 25, remains contracted to Newcastle until 2028 with no release clause in his current deal.
But the Toon have no intention of selling Isak and want to build a team around him.
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Ekitike has caught the eye of a number of Prem clubs, with the Gunners at the head of the queue.
Frankfurt are expected to demand around £60m for the striker, who boasts 19 goals this season.
The Gunners have also been linked with Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Slovenian international Sesko has a £59m release clause in his contract, while Gyokeres remains one of Europe’s hottest properties.
The ex-Coventry striker has 85 goals and 26 assists in 92 games for Sporting Lisbon.
But there could be competition from Manchester United for his signature, where he would enjoy a reunion with ex-Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.
Berta could try and raise funds for a summer spree by offloading squad players like Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arsenal announce Andrea Berta appointment
ARSENAL unveiled Andrea Berta as their new sporting director with the Italian vowing to “shape a successful future with a great team” at the Gunners.
Berta, 53, replaces former sporting director Edu following his resignation last November, with the Brazilian set to take up a new role in Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club model.
Ahead of a crucial summer for Mikel Arteta’s men, Berta is now tasked with bringing an elite No.9 to the Emirates, as well as negotiating contract renewals for key stars as Arsenal bid to win a first Prem title since 2004.
And Berta – who left a similar post at Atletico Madrid in January – said: “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 into reestablishing 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.”
Co-owner Josh Kroenke added: “Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.
“Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
“We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out.
“We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”
Arsenal’s co-chairman Josh Kroenke said: “Andrea will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
“He has vast knowledge, a great track record, a strong network and a desire to build winning teams.”
Berta will also target contract renewals for stars Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, whose deals expire in June 2027.
The Gunners’ new man said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.”
He arrives after the departure of Brazilian Edu, who is ready to take up a new role in Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club model.
Berta spent 12 years with Atletico in the Spanish capital.
He played a key role in building squads that won La Liga in 2014 and 2021 and the 2018 Europa League.
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