Berta set to join the Gunners
Finding a replacement for Edu has proven to be a long process, but the Gunners appear to have finally got their man, with Berta expected to make a move to the Emirates Stadium, despite interest from elsewhere.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed AC Milan were very keen on hijacking the deal, holding three meetings to persuade the 53-year-old to move to the San Siro, but north London was always his favoured destination.
The Italian has plans to take Mikel Arteta's project to the next level, and one of his first tasks in the summer transfer window will be to sign a new striker, with a number of targets being identified.
Arsene Wenger is seen before the match
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Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is the dream signing for the north Londoners, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko also near the top of the list, but striker is not the only position in which they are keen to strengthen.
Berta is also planning to overhaul Arsenal's midfield, and a report from The Boot Room has revealed he is a big fan of Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios, as a result of their time working together in La Liga.
tletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios in action with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe
A £84m release clause in Barrios' contract means he will not come cheap, but the Gunners could be keen, especially given that Berta holds the midfielder in very high regard.
That said, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi remains the top target in midfield, with talks over a deal for the 26-year-old still ongoing, and there is a determination to sign him quickly amid interest from other top clubs.
"Magic" Barrios could be a solid Zubimendi alternative
It is unclear whether Arsenal will be able to spend big on two top midfielders this summer, but there are signs the Atletico Madrid star could be a solid alternative to Zubimendi, should the Spaniard choose to move elsewhere.
The Madrid-born midfielder has emerged as a key player for Atletico this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions, and he is particularly adept defensively, ranking in the 88th percentile for interceptions per 90 over the past year compared to his positional peers.
Not only that, but the starlet has previously been likened to one of Spain's greatest-ever midfielders, Andrés Iniesta, by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
At 21 years old, Barrios is five years Zubimendi's junior, which may also appeal to Arsenal, but the release clause could prove to be a major stumbling block, with the requisite £84m fee making him much more expensive than the Real Sociedad star, who is valued at £50m.
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