The Arsenal sporting director role is an important one to be filled, with the transfer strategy being led by that main figure.
In recent years, Edu Gaspar has occupied that position at the Emirates Stadium, masterminding the club’s return to the top.
As a result, Edu’s exit from Arsenal came as something of a surprise last year, requiring quite the change in the hierarchy.
After an extensive search, Arsenal hired Andrea Berta to take the project to the next level with his expertise.
While he has only been at the club for a few months, the Italian director has already impressed with the moves he has made.
Berta may have already beaten Edu with his early days at Arsenal, for a few reasons.
Andrea Berta and Edu Gaspar having very different starts in their new roles
Berta’s time at Arsenal so far has seen him act very quickly in the market to help strengthen the team for Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have already made three signings, as Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have all joined the club.
Further additions are expected, which could take the spend for the summer upwards of £200 million in the market.
That could take Arsenal to the next level, before the need for any sales in the market.
As for Edu, his start to life at Nottingham Forest has been slightly tougher in comparison.
The sporting director has had to face the possibility of player exits, rather than signings, in the early weeks.
Anthony Elanga has joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth roughly £55 million, coming as a blow to the side.
Forest are also facing a battle to keep hold of Morgan Gibbs-White, who looked set to join Tottenham, but there is now a legal discussion surrounding his future.
While there have been a few additions, Edu faces an uphill task in the rest of the window to get his replacements for those key losses.
It’s quite the contrast between the two with their start to life in those new roles, but there are some big differences in their time at Arsenal, too.
Andrea Berta set to end long Arsenal wait for a new striker
The main issue Edu faced at Arsenal was landing the striker that the club needed to take them to the next level.
While there was the signing of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus during the Brazilian’s spell, they were not the guaranteed number nine that has been required.
Berta’s arrival should fix that, as Arsenal close in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres to end that long wait.
That move could well beat what Edu did in those positions over his spell as sporting director, especially if it takes the Gunners to that next level.
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