According to reports, it would appear that former Atlético Madrid Sporting Director Andrea Berta is likely to take over from Jason Ayto.
The Italian held his position in the Spanish capital for just under eight years and was responsible for signing a plethora of extraordinary players for the club.
rodri-atletico-madrid
One of those players was the incredible Rodri, and it looks like he could land the Gunners their own version of the midfield monster this summer.
Berta's best Atlético Madrid signings
Before getting to the player Berta could bring to Arsenal in the summer, let's look at some of his best signings from his time in Madrid, starting with Antoine Griezmann.
antoine-griezmann-2023-2024-stats
Interestingly, the Italian was not actually the club's Sporting Director the first time they signed the attacker in 2013, but he was when they sold him for £109m in 2019 and then re-signed him on loan two years later and then on a permanent a year after that.
Since returning to the club, the Frenchman has scored 63 goals and provided 41 assists in 171 appearances, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.64 games.
While he wasn't as impactful at Atlético as the World Cup winner, we obviously have to mention Rodri when discussing Berta's best acquisitions.
The Spaniard was a part of the club's academy system but left to join Villarreal in 2013, only to be re-signed in 2018 for a fee of €25m, including add-ons, which comes to about £21m.
The Madrid-born star made 47 appearances the following season, in which he scored three goals, provided one assist and impressed enough to convince Manchester City to splash £62.8m on him in the summer of 2019, netting the Spanish giants a sizable and quick profit.
The good news for Arsenal is that Berta could bring his next Rodri to the Emirates this summer.
Arsenal's own Rodri
With Declan Rice now spending more and more time as Arsenal's go-to left eight this season and the contracts of Thomas Partey and Jorginho expiring in the summer, it's clear that the club are going to need a new six.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match
Fortunately, it seems increasingly likely that they'll get their hands on the incredibly talented Martin Zubimendi, and if they do, then he could be Berta's new Rodri.
Now, aside from their position on the pitch, there are a couple of other key similarities between the pair, such as their nationality and that, as he was when he moved six years ago, the Real Sociedad star is a highly-sought-after midfielder.
martin-zubimendi-real-sociedad-la-liga
For example, it was Liverpool who were said to be close to securing his services last summer, only for him to opt against the move.
Furthermore, and perhaps this is the most important similarity, the 26-year-old international is exceptionally gifted.
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi in action with FC Midtjylland's Adam Buksa Henning Bagger
For example, it was before he helped Spain win the European Championships that his manager, Luis de la Fuente, described the La Real star as one of the "best central midfielders in the world."
He's also made 223 appearances for La Real and won 15 senior caps, meaning he's got an abundance of experience.
Zubimendi's senior career
Team
Real Sociedad
Spain
Appearances
223
15
Starts
180
8
Goals
9
1
Assists
9
0
Major Honours
1
2
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Finally, FBref places him in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 5% for shots blocked, the top 9% for clearances and more all per 90.
Ultimately, Rodri is undoubtedly the best midfielder in world football, and while Zubimendi is not going to surpass him at Arsenal, he could have a similar impact and become Berta's first success story at the club.
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