Andrea Berta is in the process of spending the most money Arsenal have ever spent in a transfer window, while former sporting director Edu Gaspar is now involved in a rift at Nottingham Forest.
Edu opted to leave Arsenal back in November to oversee Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs.
Berta was appointed as the Brazilian’s replacement in March, joining from Atletico Madrid after having spent 12 years at the Spanish club.
The Italian has hit the ground running in N5, moving swiftly and decisively to secure seven signings this summer who will significantly bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Edu wasn’t backed like Andrea Berta has been backed this summer
Arsenal are set to sign Eberechi Eze for £67.5 million, which will bring the North London club’s summer spending to around the £250 million mark.
Berta has reportedly impressed people within Arsenal with how he’s operated this summer, clearly identifying a number of targets and negotiating efficiently for all of them.
While the Gunners reportedly have had significant PSR headroom this summer, this will be an unprecedented window with regard to net spend for the club.
Aside from the summer of 2023, when Arsenal broke the bank for Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, Edu was never offered the level of financial support by KSE that Berta has received this summer.
The former Arsenal technical director is now in the midst of something of a civil war at Nottingham Forest, reportedly falling out with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
This unhealthy situation, combined with seeing how Berta has been backed in the transfer market, may somewhat infuriate Edu, who will be frustrated by the fact that he was never given similar resources to work with.
Arsenal clearly trust Andrea Berta
While Edu was renowned for his charisma and ability to work with people, Berta is said to be a more shy and calculated character.
The latter is rarely seen doing interviews in the media, while the former was front and centre every time Arsenal made a signing.
However, while Edu may have the warmer and more friendly exterior, the Gunners have clearly trusted Berta’s expertise in the transfer field more.
They’ve given him free rein to buy the players he wants, overruling Arteta in the pursuit of a striker by going for Viktor Gyokeres over Benjamin Sesko.
The sporting director has done his job, now it’s up to Arteta to deliver with the group of players assembled for him.
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