Andrea Berta handed welcome Arsenal transfer boost as Luiz Diaz confirms Liverpool plan

Andrea Berta only joined Arsenal six weeks ago but the new sporting director will have a huge role to play in the club’s summer transfer activity.

The Italian played a major role in shaping Atletico Madrid’s squad during his time with the Spanish club and the hope is he can work his magic on Arsenal in the coming windows. Berta is already hard at work, too, with the Gunners seemingly agreeing personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the last few days.

Zubimendi has long been on Arsenal’s radar and Edu played a big part in getting it over the line. football.london understands that Arsenal have been confident in getting a deal done for some time with other deals worked on under the expectation he would be joining.

It’s understood Arsenal are also in the market for a forward, a back-up goalkeeper, defender and potentially a versatile wide player, too. Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are just some of the strikers who have been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium, while Nico Williams, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman are a handful of the wingers who have been tipped to join the north Londoners.

Interestingly, with Arsenal in the market for a wide forward this summer, it’s perhaps a boost that Luiz Diaz looks set to be staying at Liverpool. The Columbian’s contract expires in 2027 and there had been speculation linking the 28-year-old with a move to Barcelona.

The former Porto man, who has scored 17 goals in 48 appearances this season, was asked about his future after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. He told Telemundo Deportes: “Yes, happy. From the first day I arrived, I’ve always been happy, calm, enjoying the football played at this great team.

“We’ll be talking about it, we’ll talk about it [about the renewal]. For me, I would stay however many years it takes, it also depends on the club, everything. These are details that are sorted out separately. Very calm, I’m happy and enjoying the Premier League.”

Diaz staying at Liverpool could be seen as a boost for Arsenal, as it means Arne Slot’s side would not need to go in the market for a replacement. Mikel Arteta has previously stated the club’s intention is to improve the squad, with the Spaniard “disappointed” no new additions were brought in over the winter window.

“We had a clear intention, which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact,” Arteta said after the January transfer window closed. “With players injured, we’ve been impacted and we haven’t achieved it.

“We are disappointed in that sense but as well, we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were. It’s in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there are a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve.”