Arsenal have held talks with a former Chelsea and Liverpool man to come in as Sporting Director, according to a new report.
Arsenal linked with Andrea Berta to become Sporting Director
The Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League have taken a blow in recent weeks, with Mikel Arteta’s side drawing blanks in front of goal against both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
However, in the Champions League, Arsenal put seven past PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening to all but book their spot in the quarter-finals, where they could face holders Real Madrid.
Away from the pitch, those at the Emirates Stadium are still looking to replace Edu Gaspar, who left his role as sporting director back in November.
Jason Ayto was placed in interim charge as sporting director, however, he failed to make his mark in the January transfer market. Arsenal didn’t bolster Arteta’s squad, a decision which has come back to haunt them with injuries in the final third.
|
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Man Utd (away) |
March 9th |
|
Chelsea (home) |
March 16th |
|
Fulham (home) |
April 1st |
|
Everton (away) |
April 5th |
|
Brentford (home) |
April 12th |
A number of candidates have been linked with arriving in north London, and in recent weeks, Andrea Berta, who left his position at Atletico Madrid at the beginning of the year, has been heavily mooted to make the move to Arsenal to replace Edu.
Talks were thought to be at an advanced stage with an agreement potentially being finalised in March, however, Arsenal have spoken to a new candidate as an alternative to Berta.
Arsenal hold talks with Yossi Benayoun for sporting director role
According to Football Insider, Arsenal have held talks with former midfielder Yossi Benayoun to become the club’s new Sporting Director.
The 44-year-old, who made 25 appearances for the Gunners in 2011/12 but is best known for his spells with Liverpool and West Ham, retired from football in 2019 and has gained boardroom experience with Beitar Jerusalem and national side Israel.
Talking to Football Insider, Benayoun said: “Of course I would be interested in a sporting director role in England, but I am also a pro licensed coach. Let’s see what comes up.”
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The report adds that Arsenal have not made an offer to Benayoun after talks, so at this stage it appears as if Berta could still be the front-runner to arrive, but a move for their former midfielder is still one to watch following news of talks.
