Diego Simeone has already told Arsenal fans what to expect from Andrea Berta ahead of summer transfer spree

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Arsenal are edging closer to appointing Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director following Edu Gaspar’s shock departure.

It’s been four months since Edu stunned Mikel Arteta by leaving Arsenal, bidding farewell to North London in November.

Since then, speculation has grown regarding when and who the Gunners will appoint to replace the Brazilian.

Arsenal want to recruit a sporting director by the end of March, with former Atletico Madrid man Andrea Berta in the pipeline.

• READ MORE: Who is Andrea Berta? Everything you need to know about new Arsenal sporting director target

What Diego Simeone said about Andrea Berta

Having only left Atletico in January, Berta is fresh out of a high-profile job and straight onto the radar for the Arsenal role.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that Berta is leading the race to become the Gunners’ next sporting director, which is exciting for fans.

What’s most prominent about the sporting director at present is the impressive list of strikers Berta has signed in his career, including Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and Arsenal target Matheus Cunha.

The impressive CV of the Arsenal candidate has caused attention to rise but, there’s more than Berta’s signings that could impress those at the Emirates.

That’s according to Diego Simeone, who worked with Berta for years at Atletico.

Speaking about his time with the Italian, the Atletico manager revealed something special about the sporting director.

“I can’t give a judgement on what the club decides. I’m grateful for the work Andrea has done with us, we had a very healthy relationship, without agreeing on some things as happens, but looking for the best for Atletico.

“He gave everything he could to Atletico, I thank him for this time and I wish him the best.”

Simeone’s experience of working with Berta assured Arsenal fans that if the businessman were to take up the job at the Emirates, he would give his all for the good of the club. 

• READ MORE: Andrea Berta ‘turned down’ talks with European giants as Arsenal deal ‘very close’ for next sporting director

Mikel Arteta has been warned

While Simeone’s verdict on Berta is good news for Arsenal fans, who could see a committed and passionate figure in charge of transfers, he also sent a warning to Arteta. 

The fiery Atletico Madrid boss made his disagreements with Berta clear when bidding farewell to the sporting director in January. 

Simeone admitted that while the duo didn’t always agree on things, his former colleague always did what was best for the club.

Considering that Edu left due to the control Arteta has at Arsenal, welcoming a powerful figure such as Berta could trigger further disagreements, which for the greater good of the club, should be celebrated. 

It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal recruit Berta, who after a remarkable stint at Atletico Madrid, could make the Gunners into the squad that fans so desperately want to see.