If you were to judge Andrea Berta on his public appearances alone, you might conclude that Arsenal’s new sporting director is the shy and reserved type. Berta prefers to work in the shadows, away from the cameras and dictaphones, and throughout his career, he has never shown much interest in building his public profile.
Indeed, when Berta was named best sporting director at the Globe Soccer Awards in 2019, his acceptance speech lasted only 55 seconds.
This is not to say, however, that the Italian is meek or timid. In fact, there is evidence to suggest quite the opposite. The Italian arrives in north London with a reputation as one of Europe’s most shrewd and calculating transfer operators, but he also seems to come with a certain tempestuousness.
A decade ago, for example, the referees in the tunnel of Atlético Madrid’s stadium made a report of an “unidentified person” addressing them “loudly and threateningly” after a match. It was Berta, who furiously told the officials that their decision-making was a “f------ disgrace”. After another game, in 2021, Berta was so disgusted by the officiating that he told the referee he would “never come here again”.
And when Atlético had their almighty fallout with Manchester City in 2022, Berta made sure he was involved in the brawl. In footage filmed from the stands, he was seen pushing a City staff member in the face.
Welcome to Arsenal Andrea Berta 👀pic.twitter.com/ccPvPBOWPk
— ExploreBharat (@ExploreBharat47) March 16, 2025
‘One of the great architects’ of modern Atletico
Have Arsenal appointed a hothead? In the heat of battle, perhaps. Away from matches and in his transfer planning, though, it seems not. Berta was known in Spain for his analytical and measured approach during his 12 years at Atlético, where he rose to the rank of sporting director and worked closely with manager Diego Simeone.
Atlético won two league titles, the Europa League and two domestic cups during Berta’s time in Madrid. They also reached two Champions League finals. Sources in Spain describe Berta as “one of the great architects” of the modern Atlético and the man who – above all others – identified the club’s transfer targets.
It has been a fabulous period in Atlético’s history and Berta, 53, has unquestionably played a significant part. Among the players recruited under his watch are Antoine Griezmann, Rodri, Kieran Trippier, Luis Suárez and Julián Alvarez. He has also overseen some enormous sales, including Griezmann’s move to Barcelona, Rodri’s switch to City and Joao Felix’s transfer to Chelsea.
Berta is therefore accustomed to executing high-profile, big-money negotiations and transfers. And, crucially for Arsenal, he is capable of balancing the books. Atlético’s transfer dealings during Berta’s time there have been largely self-sustaining: since 2013-14, their net spend has been around £125 million. In the same period, Arsenal’s has been around £820 million.
From banking to football
Having left Atlético in January, Berta has now ...
