Berta is a connections guy, a deals guy. His work, particularly at Atletico Madrid, is central to his reputation. He brings a brash confidence, a new outlook and his own way of doing things. He appears to be more from the Raul Sanllehi school than the Edu one.

Jason Ayto, who is Arsenal’s assistant sporting director, had stepped up to be the interim sporting director after Edu left. It remains to be seen what his future holds, but the club are known to be big fans of him and he was candidate to replace Edu.

Arsenal are close to appointing Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, a source has told ESPN. The Gunners have been conducting a detailed process to identify a successor to Edu, who resigned from his position in November and has been on a six-month period of gardening leave since.