Andrea Berta has been making all the Arsenal headlines this week following his official appointment, with Edu Gaspar’s replacement already very busy ahead of a vitally important summer transfer window.
Andrea Berta set for “big” summer at Arsenal
The 53-year-old is being tipped for a “big” summer of spending and recruitment, even by Mikel Arteta, who expressed his excitement over Berta’s arrival in north London.
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“I think it’s a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team,” said Arteta on what Berta will bring to Arsenal.
“A team that is already formed with a lot of great people. Richard [Garlick] leading it, obviously. But as well with James [King], with Jason [Ayto], with a lot of people at the club that have been doing such good work.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Everton (away)
April 5th
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
TBD
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
“So it’s about building out that chemistry. And I believe Josh [Kroenke] has been fully involved in the process as well. So we are all very excited to have him. You just met him, and straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding. And he’s a person who is very honest, very straightforward, with a very clear vision of what he wants to do.”
While Arsenal prepare for another Premier League clash away to Everton on Saturday, Berta has already got to work on potential transfers in the background.
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Bukayo Saka’s recent injury lay-off, not to mention Leandro Trossard’s uncertain long-term future, has highlighted the need for reinforcement out wide – leading Berta to start laying groundwork on a potential deal for Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams.
The Spain international’s reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards is well known by those within Arsenal, who’ve been repeatedly linked since last summer.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams celebrates scoring their third goal
His contract also includes a £48 million release clause, and despite his reportedly sky-high wages at Bilbao, the Gunners are set to try and lure him to England.
Berta is reliably reported to have held talks with Williams’ agents this week, and journalist Graeme Bailey has shared his own update on the situation in a piece for The Boot Room.
Andrea Berta convinced Nico Williams wants to join Arsenal
According to his information, Berta is convinced that Williams is “hugely attracted” to the Arsenal project, following this meeting with the 22-year-old and his representatives in the last few days.
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Bailey adds that the £200,000-per-week winger is currently on a long list of winger targets, which includes Mohamed Kudus (West Ham), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal) and Arda Güler (Real Madrid).
This also follows “constant communication” between Arsenal and the player’s camp over the last 12 months, with Berta outlining during the most recent round of talks with Williams’ agents that he’d be a key player in Arteta’s side.
Berta ended these discussions with the feeling that they’re favourites to sign Williams, if he does opt to finally leave Bilbao this year, so this could come as a very encouraging bit of news for supporters who want to see him at the Emirates.
