Incoming Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is now intent on signing a “world-class” duo in the summer transfer window, according to a report.
Berta drawing up plans for the summer
Although Berta is yet to be officially announced as the Gunners’ new sporting director, there have been suggestions the Italian has already started identifying a number of potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 53-year-old is believed to be a huge fan of Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, as a result of the time they spent working together at the La Liga club, while he will also try to sign Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.
The north Londoners are now in talks over a deal for Guimaraes, with Berta ‘in love’ with the Brazilian after trying to sign him for Atlético Madrid on a number of occasions.
Related
Better than Sesko: Arsenal in talks to sign “one of the best in the world”
Arsenal could sign one of the best forwards in the world on a free transfer.
As such, the 27-year-old has now emerged as a key target for Arsenal, which could perhaps indicate Martin Zubimendi is no longer as high up the list, but a new report from GiveMeSport suggests otherwise.
According to the report, Berta is still intent on signing Zubimendi this summer, with the former Atlético Madrid man particularly keen on the Spaniard, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.
Cunha provides a goal threat and creativity in attack, which makes the Brazilian a necessary addition to Mikel Arteta’s frontline, but he will not come cheap, given that he has a £62m release clause included in his contract.
Previous reports have stated Zubimendi will be a little cheaper at £51m, meaning Arsenal may have to shell out the huge sum of £113m to get the two deals over the line.
However, it is also detailed that Arteta’s side could listen to offers for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli this summer, which may boost their budget significantly.
Zubimendi and Cunha could be “world-class” additions
Cunha has shown signs of year-on-year development since signing for Wolves, having already beaten his Premier League goal tally from last season by netting 13 times in 26 appearances this term, while also providing four assists.
The Brazil international has thus been hailed as “world-class” by members of the media, and Kieran Tierney has stated Zubimendi is in the same category.
“You have world-class players like [Martín] Zubimendi, [Mikel] Merino, Brais [Méndez]. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good; it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world class.”
As such, the duo could be fantastic signings for Arsenal this summer, but Cunha should be Arteta’s priority, given that the manager is light on out-and-out centre-forwards, and the 25-year-old has proven himself as a reliable goalscorer in the Premier League.
