Arsenal’s newly-appointed sporting director Andrea Berta is poised to reshape the club’s approach to transfers, with early signs suggesting a shift in strategy as the Gunners prepare for a critical summer window — and face a reality check in their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres.
With the 2024/25 season now behind them, Arsenal’s focus has swiftly turned to the summer transfer market. But unlike previous years, the Gunners will be operating with a new man pulling the strings behind the scenes. Berta, who earned a glowing reputation at Atlético Madrid for shrewd recruitment and value-driven deals, is expected to implement a more structured and long-term vision at the Emirates.
The opening of the first of two summer transfer windows — brought forward due to the scheduling of the FIFA Club World Cup — gives Arsenal the opportunity to move quickly for priority targets. Mikel Arteta has already indicated that the club will be active early if the right deals are available, and Berta is believed to be fully aligned with that strategy.
One of the standout names linked with a move to north London has been Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish international has just completed a remarkable season with Sporting, scoring 52 goals in all competitions and finishing as one of Europe’s top marksmen. However, any deal for the 26-year-old now appears increasingly difficult.
Sporting are standing firm on Gyökeres’s €100 million (£85m) release clause, and sources close to the player suggest he is open to remaining in Lisbon for another season if a move to one of his preferred destinations — such as Real Madrid or Bayern Munich — does not materialise. Arsenal, while admirers of the striker’s qualities, are unlikely to stretch that far financially unless significant outgoings reshape their budget.
With that in mind, Berta is reportedly casting the net wider. Arsenal’s scouting department has ramped up their interest in alternatives, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. Both players fit the age and profile of signings Berta made regularly during his time in La Liga — young, versatile, and with room to grow into elite-level stars under the right coaching.
Meanwhile, the expected arrival of Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi — long admired by Arteta — could be one of the early window’s marquee additions. The Spaniard, who has a release clause of around £50m, would bring composure, ball progression, and tactical intelligence to the Arsenal midfield.
With Champions League football secured and a title challenge narrowly missed, the 2025 summer window is shaping up as a transformative moment for the Gunners. Under Berta’s guidance, Arsenal look set to blend ambition with structure — pursuing top talent while avoiding the financial pitfalls that have hampered rivals in recent years.
One thing is clear: Arsenal are entering a new era off the pitch. And Andrea Berta is the architect-in-chief.
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