Fabrizio Romano reveals ‘top candidate’ for Arsenal sporting director role – fans should be excited

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Arsenal are reportedly close to appointing their next sporting director following months of speculation.

Edu Gaspar shocked Mikel Arteta when he suddenly left his role at the Emirates to embark on a new adventure. 

Typically, since Edu’s departure, Arsenal have needed a presence in the transfer department, with failures in the January window causing significant problems. 

While Jason Ayto has filled in for the Brazilian, the search for a new sporting director is ongoing but, could end very soon. 

• READ MORE: What Edu Gaspar’s replacement actually did at Arsenal during the January transfer window

Andrea Berta leading Arsenal sporting director race

Ayto is considered an option to become permanent sporting director but, he’s not alone on the list of candidates.

Former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta is another option for Arsenal having left the Spanish giants in January.

The Italian was in Madrid for over 11 years, moving from technical director to sporting director in 2017. 

It’s interesting for Arsenal that the businessman is available at a time of need at the Emirates, with Fabrizio Romano sharing an exciting new update. 

On X, the renowned journalist revealed that Berta is now considered the ‘top candidate’ for the sporting director job at Arsenal, with talks advancing.

Romano said that discussions ‘already took place’ after Berta left Atletico, adding that talks between Arsenal and the sporting director are ‘at advanced stage’ but, nothing is done yet.

With the understanding that the Gunners want to recruit an Edu replacement by the end of March, it appears that the race is heating up with Berta in pole position.

Arsenal fans should be excited about Berta

Given that Arteta wanted a striker signing in January, Berta might be the best man to support the Spaniard ahead of the summer window. 

The sporting director was responsible for a mass of star-studded signings at Atletico, including two impeccable buys only last summer. 

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth were signed to bolster Diego Simeone’s front line, with the duo responsible for 41 of Atletico’s goals this season through direct contributions.

Aside from the recent buys, Berta also welcomed some superstar attackers to Madrid including Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco, as well as paying big money for Joao Felix.

An ambitious sporting director with a sublime track record on the forward front is exactly what the Gunners need right now, in what could be a thrilling hire before summer.