Arsenal's new sporting director has some astonishing plans for squad this summer - but only if AI is to be believed.
The Italian after a successful 12-year stint with , where he crafted the squads that claimed a pair of La Liga titles and a Europa League in 2018, along with two Champions League final appearances.
He now takes over from the role of building an cohort capable of being named champions. While it is not out of the realm of possibility that a Liverpool collapse hands his new side their first league title in over 20 years, AI predicts that no expenses will be spared this summer in an attempt to make next year their year.
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An AI-generated analysis conducted by aceodds.com used Berta’s strategy from his time at the summit of Spanish football - and the areas most in need of improvement at the Emirates - to determine some key names that the new sporting director could examine this summer.
One of these positions was at striker. A lot has been made of Arsenal’s lack of a true goalscoring No. 9, and while names were reported to have been courted over the last two transfer windows, currently injured pair Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were made to man the fort.
The AI model, however, sees a marksman as somewhere where Berta may make a move, and one highly-touted name, Viktor Gyokeres, appears on the list.
The Swede has starred for Sporting Lisbon over the last 12 months, and reports suggesting he could be available for less than his £83million release clause have attracted suitors.
Arsenal have long been thought to be one of those admirers, and AI predicts that the cost-effectiveness of the signing, as well as the high return of such a forward, fits the profile of players traditionally targeted by Berta.
The immediate impact and potential of French U21 star Hugo Ekitike also sees the Frankfurt ace land on the list, as well as another name rumoured to have been of interest to the Gunners in the past, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Regarding potential wing signings, Spain’s Euro 2024 hero and Athletic Club talisman Nico Williams is shortlisted, thanks to Berta’s past affinity to activate release clauses for high-potential stars. £50m is the release price that would have to be parted with for the 22-year-old.
Staying in La Liga, the model also pinpoints Barcelona’s Raphinha, due to his balance of adding an immediate impact and long-term potential. Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma is another selection, as Berta is known to acquire emerging talent from within his league.
According to AI, Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo could be considered at left-back, thanks to Berta’s tendency to acquire experienced players at reasonable prices. Bayer Leverkusen's 29-year-old is estimated to be available for just £35m.
Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri is another suggested target, thanks to Arsenal’s new director liking to balance his squad with proven domestic talent, and Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez is a proposed alternative as a young star with experience in a European top-flight.
