Fabrizio Romano reveals leading contender in Arsenal sporting director race

Arsenal aim to appoint their new sporting director this month, and Andrea Berta has emerged as the leading candidate in the club's search.

The Gunners have been without a permanent sporting director since last November when Edu Gaspar's departure was made official. The Brazilian's assistant, Jason Ayto, has taken the job on an interim basis, but the uncertainty within the hierarchy doubtlessly hindered the club's ability to conduct business during a critical January transfer window.

With silverware this season now unlikely (but not impossible!), many eyes are starting to zone in on what promises to be a hugely significant summer in north London. Arsenal are poised to be active, and it's imperative that their new sporting director is hired well in advance.

Andrea Berta is the frontrunner to become Arsenal's new sporting director

We learned from David Ornstein last week that the club plans on hiring Edu's full-time successor in March, and Berta, once of Atletico Madrid, was name-checked as one of the leading candidates for the job.

Fabrizio Romano broke the news on Monday morning that Berta is the Gunners' 'top' candidate for the position. Talks are said to be at an advanced stage, although no deal has been struck yet.

The likes of Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro are also said to have been considered by Arsenal.

Berta left Atletico last year having joined the club in 2013 before serving as their technical director for four years. He then became sporting director in 2017; spending more than a decade in the Spanish capital. The Italian worked closely with the demanding Diego Simeone, and played a key role in building two La Liga-winning teams during a time when Barcelona and Real Madrid threatened a perpetual duopoly.

Atleti also claimed Europa League glory and reached two Champions League finals while Berta was at the club.

Arsenal would've been emboldened by Berta's ability to work closely with a man of Simeone's personality for so long, and the director's track record suggest he isn't the sort the play it safe on the recruitment front. Atleti made some huge splashes while Berta was at the club, and although several of his high-profile dealings didn't pay off, the Italian's willingness to take a risk must be commended.

Given the stage the Gunners are at and what they require to go one better, supporters should be encouraged by Berta's potential arrival. While we don't know too much about how the 53-year-old operates day-to-day, his body of work at Atletico is undoubtedly impressive.

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