Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been tasked with raising cash through player sales ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline
Andrea Berta has worked around the clock to secure new signings for Mikel Arteta since joining Arsenal as sporting director in March. His immediate influence on both dealings and the club’s strategy was reflected via the £63.7million statement capture of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
During his first few weeks at his new desk, Berta made a big internal push for the Swede, who looks poised to lead the line at Old Trafford in next weekend’s Premier League curtain-raiser after netting his first goal in new colours at the Emirates on Saturday. There has also been progress on a raft of new contracts at the Sobha Realty Training Centre with Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri also penning fresh terms in the past two months.
However, Berta’s focus will now switch to outgoings during the final weeks of the transfer window. This is where Italian chief Berta’s expertise and extensive network of contacts will truly come into play.
So far, Arsenal have only generated a mere £8.57m through player sales after flogging left-back Nuno Tavares to Lazio and Marquinhos to Cruzeiro. There’s mutual recognition up to boardroom level that this is something the club must improve moving forward.
READ MORE: Arsenal told it’s time to sell £45m star Mikel Arteta pushed for after £204m transfer spreeREAD MORE: Arsenal given overwhelming green light over next transfer – ‘Icing on the cake’
Chelsea have just raised an estimated £45m by offloading Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu to Burnley while Darwin Nunez’s switch to Al-Hilal means Liverpool have recouped £202.5m in sales alone this summer.
Speaking after the 3-0 win over Athletic Club, Arteta made it clear the Gunners need to get players out of the door to maximise their chances of further spending. He said when asked if Arsenal’s business where incomings are concerned is done: “Let’s see what happens in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks. We are actively looking at options, there are a few players that maybe have to leave as well. We are open to seeing what happens.”
A host of fringe stars are up for grabs. Fulham remain in discussions over a swoop for Reiss Nelson following his loan spell at Craven Cottage last season. Marco Silva’s side recently paused those talks and pivoted to Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kevin but their proposal was knocked back by the Ukrainian side and the 22-year-old also failed to warm to a move to west London, anyway. Nelson, who returned to training with Arsenal in La Manga after undergoing hamstring surgery in February, also has other suitors from the Premier League.
Fulham have been trying to structure an initial loan but the Gunners favour a permanent deal even though Nelson made an impression on their pre-season tour of Asia. Arsenal view him as one of their most-sellable assets and any transfer would also reflect 100 per cent profit against PSR regulations as he’s a Hale End academy graduate.
Then there’s Fabio Vieira, a £34.7m arrival from Porto in the summer of 2022 that is still yet to find his feet at the Emirates. Stuttgart are continuing discussions over a permanent transfer with Arsenal seeking a package worth up to £17.35m (€20m).
The Germans have the cash to hand as Frenchman Enzo Millot has opted to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Vieira has been told he can depart and is yet to feature in pre-season after being handed an extensive break by Arteta following his involvement at the Club World Cup with Porto.
The Portuguese giants also recently made a £23.4m offer – an initial loan with an obligation to buy – for defender Jakub Kiwior but it was not entertained by Arsenal, who are still easing Gabriel back into the side following hamstring surgery in April. Kiwior is also admired by Juventus and other Italian sides but unless he makes it clear he wants to go – Arteta would be more than happy to keep the Pole as he is highly-rated by the club.
Goalkeeper Karl Hein is attracting interest from Levante and Rangers, Sevilla had also been keen but they’re tying up a loan swoop for Newcastle’s Odysseas Vlachodimos. Levante are eyeing a loan but Arsenal are prioritising a permanent sale as it’s believed the Estonia international’s contract expires in 2026.
Oleksandr Zinchenko can also depart as his deal is also up next summer but his wages are an issue. AC Milan made enquiries earlier in the window but since then, there has been minimal movement despite speculative links with Fulham. Arsenal have also struggled to find buyers for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga following loan spells with Sevilla and Luton Town. The Gunners are ready to move the Belgian on but they’re yet to receive formal offers for the 25-year-old.
After Saturday’s win, Arteta observed a post-match training session on the pitch and those that played limited or no minutes were involved including Vieira and Hein, who were not even in the squad against Athletic Club.
Striker Gabriel Jesus has attracted interest from Brazil but he is currently prioritising his recovery after undergoing knee surgery in January. Respectable bids for Leandro Trossard would also likely be considered, though it’s still not guaranteed he will depart even though contract discussions have stalled.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
