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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has recommended a new forward to manager Mikel Arteta, with the Italian already exerting his influence ahead of what will be a crucial summer transfer window for the north Londoners.

Andrea Berta sends message after Arsenal appointment

The 53-year-old has been officially confirmed as Edu Gaspar’s replacement after weeks of rumours, and Berta has expressed his delight over joining the Premier League heavyweights after 12 successful years at Atlético Madrid.

Arteta dealt injury blow with Arsenal "difference maker" out for "weeks"

It is a significant loss for the Spaniard.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 1, 2025

“I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club,” said Berta on his appointment at Arsenal.

“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role.”

Arteta has already confirmed that Arsenal are set for a “big” summer window after Berta’s arrival, following previous reports that £300 million could be spent on seven new signings, including a goalkeeper, left-back, defensive midfielder, left-winger, striker and alternative to Bukayo Saka (GiveMeSport).

Bringing in a new centre-forward is an especially key aim for the club, following a campaign which has arguably been hampered by their lack of a ruthless goal-scoring poacher.

Kai Havertz chipped in with 15 goals from 34 total appearances this term, before his season-ending hamstring injury, while Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a serious purple patch prior to his ACL tear.

Both men are ruled out of action for the foreseeable future, with midfielder Mikel Merino deployed in an emergency striker role by Arteta. Their need for a world-class number nine is more prevalent than ever before, and reliable media sources indicate they’re expected to bring one in this summer.

Fabrizio Romano anticipates Arsenal will make an “important” proposal to sign Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko also repeatedly linked.

Andrea Berta tells Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid sensation Adrian Nino

As per journalist Steve Kay, speaking on KS1TV, Berta has now recommended Atletico striker Adrian Nino to Arsenal and Arteta.

The Spain Under-19 international is seen as a player with big potential, drawing comparisons to the likes of City legend Aguero and Fernando Torres, and is currently into double figures with Atletico’s B team.

Simeone handed Nino his first-team debut against CD Leganes in January, but he already carries quite a formidable reputation.

“He’s one of these players I’ve been told Arsenal are watching,” said Kay.

“He plays for Atletico B. He’s in the mould of, people have mentioned, Fernando Torres, Griezmann, Aguero. I spoke to a guy, I actually had to speak to him in Spanish.

“Yeah, he’s highly-rated, Arsenal are interested in him and are keeping an eye on him. Berta brought him in, and he was integral to bringing him to the club. He’s in the Torres mould. Powerful, quick thinking, silky skills clever. Watch him because we have Berta coming in.

“This is one I’ve been told has been recommended to Mikel Arteta.”

Arsenal star Martin Odegaard's wedding was interrupted by chaotic scenes as a photojournalist was forcibly removed from the ceremony by security.

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• Playmaker married Helene Spilling
• Journalist forced to leave by security
• Employers threaten legal action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per the Daily Mail, Odegaard's wedding was interrupted by a commotion as a photographer was removed by two security guards in a forcible manner. The photojournalist was removed at the end of the ceremony as guests were leaving. Odegaard married Spilling in November but they had a grand ceremony in Oslo at the weekend.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Several Arsenal stars attended the ceremony, including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard and they, among other guests, had to watch on as photojournalist Andreas Fadum was dragged away from the festivities by security. Se og Hor, the magazine for which he works, have now threatened legal action.

• WHAT THE PUBLICATION SAID

  Se og Hor said in a statement: "We react very strongly to the fact that the security guards have used physical force against our photographer in the field.

  "He was in a public place to cover a public event. They had no right to block off the parking lot or the area around the church. 

  "The matter will therefore be reported to the police, we cannot allow force to be used against journalists and photographers on assignment."

  The Norwegian Editors' Association added: "It is very serious that a photojournalist is treated in this way in a public place. 

  "We react strongly to security personnel behaving as if they have police authority. We believe the matter should be reported, and will support Se og Hor in this."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Odegaard could next be in action on July 23 when Arsenal play AC Milan in a pre-season friendly.

Chelsea have been linked with yet another goalkeeper – with the Blues reportedly set to rival West Ham for Leicester City's Mads Hermansen.

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• Chelsea have plethora of keepers
• Eye Leicester stopper Hermansen
• Face competition from West Ham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Daily Mail claims that Chelsea, who have just sold keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal, and West Ham are interested in signing the Danish stopper following Leicester's relegation to the Championship. The 24-year-old impressed for the Foxes last term so it may be difficult to hold onto the former Denmark Under-21 international.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If Chelsea do try and sign Hermansen, it is a clear indication they are not happy with their current crop of keepers. Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gaga Slonina, and Djorde Petrovic are already on the club's books but that was one area of the pitch where Enzo Maresca's side looked particularly vulnerable last season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  If Hermansen leaves Leicester, who are looking for a new manager following Ruud van Nistelrooy's sacking, they will desperately need a new number one next season – particularly as Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen have headed to Wrexham and Preston North End, respectively.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen if West Ham, who are looking for a new keeper following Lukasz Fabianski's exit, and Chelsea make a move for the ex-Brondby star. Due to Leicester's financial issues, they will want a substantial fee for his services – although being in the Championship weakens their bargaining power.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva claims his side's exit from the Club World Cup feels like a Champions League defeat.

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• Bernardo Silva on Club World Cup exit
• Claims it feels like the Champions League
• City knocked out by Al-Hilal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City were beaten 4-3 by Al-Hilal in a thrilling last 16 tie, ending a miserable season in which they finished trophyless. Silva is adamant they will bounce back in the 2025-26 campaign but admits the disappointment is similar to their European exit to Real Madrid in February.

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  WHAT SILVA SAID

  Silva said: "It does feel a little bit like going out of the Champions League, yeah. No one wanted to lose, we are very used to not having holidays unfortunately because the schedule is crazy. But when we are in a competition we take it very seriously and we had a lot of ambition for this Club World Cup and we wanted to win it. In one month when we start the Premier League, we will forget and focus on having a great season."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  City's defeat means they end the campaign without silverware for the first time since 2017, Pep Guardiola's first season in charge. He has made several signings to help fix his side's slump but they were not enough to prevent a poor defensive performance letting them down against Al-Hilal.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  City must recover quickly, with the Premier League campaign little more than six weeks away. They face Wolves on the opening weekend of the season.

Thibaut Courtois has revealed the difficulty he had dealing with Paris Saint-Germain's pressing as Real Madrid suffered a 4-0 thrashing.

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• Madrid lost 4-0 to PSG in CWC semi-final
• Dembele scored one goal
• Courtois complained about rabid pressing

• WHAT HAPPENED

  On Wednesday, in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, Real Madrid suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat against a Paris Saint-Germain side in top form. At the heart of this collective humiliation, Courtois spoke after the match, acknowledging PSG's superiority and emphasising in particular on the rabid off the ball work Dembele put in.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  One of the main architects of PSG steamrolling through Madrid was Ousmane Dembele, a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or. The PSG striker not only scored a goal but also relentlessly harassed the opposition's defence. Even Courtois was powerless to stop him. His words did not just point out Dembele's determination, but also indirectly called out the lack of effort from his own team-mates.

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• WHAT THIBAUT COURTOIS SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the game, Courtois said: "I told [Dembele] after the game that he was pressing a lot and he told me that's what he had to do. On a clearance, I have half a second to think about where I'm going to shoot, because they're pressing you."

  While reflecting on the performance of his own team-mates, the Belgian international did not mince his words. For him, it was the whole team that failed, not just two or three players, as was evident from the defensive errors by Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger, which led to the first two goals.

  "It's something we need to improve collectively, it's not just a question of individual players. Collectively, we need to press better and be more coordinated," he added. "We were a bit weak today. We've done much better in other games. It's something we need to look at on video and improve."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Head coach Xabi Alonso and his staff will have to go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get the best out of this Real Madrid side. The 15-time European champions will begin their La Liga campaign on August 19 against Osasuna, after the league refused their request to postpone the opening game.

Jody Morris believes that Chelsea have a true superstar in Cole Palmer, and he has claimed that the young playmaker is in the same bracket as Eden Hazard when it comes to game-changing brilliance. The former Blues assistant manager is confident the England international can reach another level in the Champions League after starring in recent finals and delivering on the big stage.

• Morris compares Palmer’s impact to Hazard’s
• Club World Cup final display showed game-changing talent
• Champions League football seen as Palmer’s next big step

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Palmer has been earning praise from all corners after his electric performances for Chelsea, including a stunning display in the Club World Cup final. The 23-year-old scored twice and set up another in the first half against Paris Saint-Germain, helping Chelsea lift the title. Former Chelsea assistant coach Morris now sees Palmer as the club’s main man heading into the Champions League and likened him to Stamford Bridge legend Hazard in terms of his ability to turn the game on its head.

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• WHAT MORRIS SAID

  Speaking to talkSPORT, Morris said of Palmer, who was also the Man of the Match in Chelsea's UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis in May: “For me, he’s a superstar already, but I still think he’s got another level to go to, because I think you need to play in the Champions League for you to be considered the next level.

  “We saw what he did on the right-hand side in the Conference League final. He took it upon himself to go and right, ‘I’m going to make something happen.’

  “There’s a few players that can do that. We were lucky enough to have probably the best to ever do that, Eden Hazard. Cole Palmer is in that same bracket.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Palmer has quickly become a key figure at Stamford Bridge and is now being spoken about in the same breath as club legends. With Chelsea returning to the Champions League under Enzo Maresca, the stage is set for Palmer to shine even brighter. His performances in high-pressure matches suggest he’s ready for Europe’s top competition.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?

  The 23-year-old is expected to lead Chelsea’s charge in their return to the Champions League this season. His continued growth under Maresca could be vital as the club look to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite. All eyes will be on how he handles the pressure of the competition’s new format.

Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak has been slammed over his “bizarre” decision to leave Newcastle and chase an extra “50,000 a week”.

• Transfer request tabled on Tyneside
• Swedish striker pushing for a move
• Liverpool reportedly preparing bid

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Sweden international striker is seemingly pushing for a way out of St James’ Park, with a transfer request being tabled. He has been left out of Newcastle’s pre-season plans and has seemingly entered into talks with interested parties.

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  It is being reported that personal terms have been agreed with Liverpool, as the reigning Premier League champions prepare to table a formal offer for a player that apparently comes with a £150 million ($200m) price tag.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Magpies have Isak tied to a contract through to 2028, meaning that they can dictate any discussions, and there is no guarantee that a big-money sale will be sanctioned – with Eddie Howe readying his squad for more Champions League action in 2025-26.

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  WHAT PEARCE SAID

  Ex-Newcastle defender Stuart Pearce, speaking in association with , told GOAL when asked why an ambitious project on Tyneside – which has wealthy owners on board – is struggling to retain players of Isak’s ilk: “Only the players can answer that. Looking at it from a player's point of view and my history as a player, sometimes down the line you have got to stay and play football where you are happy. Isak looks to me as though he is happy at Newcastle.

  “They are in European competition, the club have won their first trophy for a long time, why wouldn’t you stay would be the question. I’m sure financially they can offer as good as anyone and he can get paid 150, 250, 300,000 pounds a week. To me there is very little in that if he is going to get paid another 50,000 pounds on top of that. It seems bizarre to me.

  “I think it will resolve itself. I don’t think Newcastle will part company with Isak – certainly not this season. The trouble is, if you are not Liverpool and not Manchester City, you have got a fight on to keep players. That is just the nature of the game.”

Liverpool new boy Florian Wirtz insists his record-breaking £116 million ($154m) price tag “doesn’t matter” as he just wants to “play football”.

• Most expensive player in British football
• Will not be weighed down by price tag
• Looking forward to Premier League test

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Germany international Wirtz has become the most expensive player in British football after completing a big-money transfer to Anfield from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old playmaker has a lot to live up to on Merseyside.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  An immediate impact will need to be made in order to avoid inevitable questions being asked of his value to the Reds cause, but Wirtz is adamant that he will not be wasting energy worrying about factors that are outside of his control.

• WHAT WIRTZ SAID

  Wirtz told when asked if a historic transfer fee will weigh heavy around his neck: “No, I don’t think about this. I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn’t matter.

  “The big challenge is to take the title again and it is the most difficult thing, so I try just to create chances and also work against the ball because I can also run a lot and I will try to bring this to the team. Then, with the ball, I hope I can make the team better and bring my team-mates into better situations.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Wirtz accepts that he has much to learn in England, but added on facing those challenges head on: “I have not played a match in the Premier League, but I am looking forward to it and that is why I came.

  “To be honest I don’t know [how it will be]. There will be some differences to the German league but I think that is also something I can learn and make me better so I am really looking forward to it. They tell me it’s more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me – and I’m aware of that.”

Juventus are monitoring Brighton's Matt O'Riley as a possible alternative to Morten Hjulmand amid Sporting CP's high asking price for the midfielder.

• Juventus scout Morten Hjulmand alternative
• Sporting want interested clubs to meet the release clause
• Juve seek a Douglas Luiz exit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sporting are determined not to lose another star player after Viktor Gyokeres' departure and want interested clubs to trigger Hjulmand's €80 million (£68m/$92m) release clause to sign him. Juve have been the most interested party to sign the Denmark captain but are losing hope heading into the final weeks of the transfer window. According to , the Serie A side have reignited their interest in Brighton's O'Riley after losing out on his signing last year.

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  The Seagulls signed the Denmark international in 2024 for €29.5m (£26m/$34m) from Celtic after his impressive spell in Scotland. O'Riley had a challenging start to the English league, playing 21 games in which he scored two goals and provided three assists. Juve are looking to sign the Dane midfielder, but Brighton prefer to give O'Riley another season to prove himself. The Italian side believe the signing of the 24-year-old will provide them with much-needed quality after the disastrous spell that resulted from the transfer of Douglas Luiz.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Juve's first priority is Hjulmand, but to match the 26-year-old's release clause, they will first need to offload Luiz. The Brazilian is currently attracting interest from many English clubs, with Nottingham Forest and West Ham monitoring his situation closely. His relationship with the club has also deteriorated after his attempt to force a move, which included missing training, and a summer exit looks inevitable.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?

  Juve also have American striker Timothy Weah waiting for the club to give their go ahead for his much awaited move to Marseille. The Italian club can look to offload the striker to finance their move for Randal Kolo Muani, who has been waiting for his preferred Juve return as well. Igor Tudor's side are set to face Borussia Dortmund in their second pre-season friendly on August 10.

Wayne Rooney says it was "very unfair" for NFL legend Tom Brady to question his work ethic when in charge at Birmingham City.

• Brady questioned Rooney's work ethic at Birmingham
• Man Utd icon hits back at "very unfair" remark
• Says NFL legend didn't understand football then

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Birmingham minority owner Brady expressed his concerns about Rooney's "work ethic" during Rooney's fateful 83-day spell at the club. Now, the Manchester United hero has hit back at the NFL icon, saying he was disappointed with the remark and that just because he is a sporting great, it doesn't mean he knows a lot about football.

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  WHAT ROONEY SAID

  He told BBC Sport: “I think it was a very unfair comment. When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really. Hence the fact that, the players weren’t really the players who could take the club forward. We knew that and I think, Tom come in once which was the day before a game where the day is a little bit light anyway and I don’t think he really understood football that well at the time, maybe he does now…  

  "But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that, so that’s why I’m really disappointed with the comment because football is not NFL – NFL works for 3 months a year, players do need rest as well, so I think he was very unfair the way he’s come out and portrayed that.  

   “Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively, he’s one of the greatest – if not the greatest athletes – of all time and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good. I think what they have done is got the players out they need to get out because when I was there, you had Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett after me who also struggled as well… but yeah bit disappointed but nothing too serious so move on.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The seven-time Super Bowl winner made those comments in November 2023, with Rooney sacked by Birmingham two months later. While the decision to get rid of him has since paid dividends, after manager Chris Davies led the club back to the Championship at the first time of asking, Rooney clearly feels aggrieved that a relative stranger to football is questioning him in a sport he has been involved in for the vast majority of his life.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As the former England captain gets ready to launch his new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, Brady's Birmingham are in Championship action on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Blackburn Rovers.