Andrea Berta has no time to adjust and settle to life in North London.
Arsenal’s new sporting director has been thrown into the most important summer transfer window since Mikel Arteta took over at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta sent a message to Berta at the end of last season that the Gunners needed attacking reinforcements and despite bringing in Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, that request is yet to be met.
However, Berta is chasing deals for the likes of Noni Madueke and Arsenal are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a move for Viktor Gyokeres. It is a busy time for the Italian and he is doing everything to get the transfers over the line.
According to Football Transfers, Berta has flown back from Portugal after negotiating for Gyokeres in order to begin discussions with Crystal Palace over Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal have made enquiries for Eze and it is believed that the player is excited by the prospect of moving to North London.
The report claims that Arsenal and Sporting have a small gap that ‘will not be difficult to bridge’ in discussions over the fee for Gyokeres.
Berta is now in London for talks over Eze and in particular, how to structure the payments to trigger his £68m release clause.
Ian Wright believes Eze is ‘unplayable’ and supporters will be excited by his ability to produce moments out of nothing, while already being Premier League proven.
Arteta wants Gyokeres ready for pre-season and the same would apply to any potential incoming at the club.
Arsenal jet off to Asia for their pre-season tour and face difficult challenges against the likes of AC Milan and arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners then have two friendly matches back at home against Spanish opposition in Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.
These games will be the opportunity for new signings to get used to Arteta’s style of play and build partnerships with the players around them.
Gyokeres will have to get used to Bukayo Saka and any trigger movements that indicate he is about to deliver a cross on his right foot or cut inside with his left foot.
Eze will know Declan Rice from England duty but will also be building patterns of play with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
The earlier these players are through the door, the quicker they can settle into the club and be ready for the opener at Old Trafford.
