Bharath Rammr
Manchester United have spent well over £250 million on new players since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Undoubtedly, the Scot played a huge role in signing players and his absence has left a huge void in terms of the ability to bring in the right place. Apart from a handful of signings, the majority of the £250 million has gone down the drain. Amidst rumours that United may be set for a spending spree once again in the summer, the club are looking to make a key signing but not someone who will be a member of the squad.
Instead, the club are after Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta. Atletico Madrid have been one of the best clubs in recent years when it comes to signing players in the bargain. They have been transformed in the last five years from a mid-table club into a team that challenges for the trophies. The tactics and the managerial skills of Diego Simeone undoubtedly has played a big role, but he has been immensely helped by the quality of the players at his disposal. Interestingly, Atletico have not spent a significant sum of money in a grading these players.
The likes of Jackson Martinez, José Gimenez, Antoine Griezmann, and Jan Oblak are some of the several success stories for the club. It is incredible to think that the Spanish outfit have lost a number of top forwards over the years like the Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Fernando Torres, and recently, Diego Costa. Yet, they have consistently found a replacement for those players while keeping their transfer outlay to a bare minimum. It is clear that the skills of sporting director, Berta, is a major factor.
Berta’s agent was speaking to Calciomercato, and he confirmed that Manchester United are one of those many clubs, who are after the Italian:
‘[Inter recruiting Berta with Simeone] would be an excellent idea, a plausible and logical scenario were Simeone to want to move to Milan,’ Canovi told Calciomercato.
‘It won’t be easy, however, believe me: the best clubs in the world want Berta, the Premier League elite especially, not just Manchester United.
‘Recruiting him would be the sign that Inter want to get back to winning ways.
‘He’s out of this world, he’s been obtaining results and making money at Atletico for years, he’s made miracles.’
Simeone is widely expected to leave Atletico in the summer. He recently reduced his contract length much to the surprise of many. An exit for a manager who has been responsible for a huge amount of success is likely to result in exits in other areas of the club, as they prepare for a wholesale change.
United recognise that this would be a perfect time to acquire the services of Berta, who has a great friendship with agent Jorges Mendes. Ironically, Mendes is the agent of Manchester United boss José Mourinho. Mendes is thought to be a great admirer of Berta and he has been recommended to United.
Spending money has not been a problem for the club with vast financial resources, but United are very keen on bringing in the best player that would suit the club. Some of the expensive mistakes made by the club in recent years include the likes of Memphis Depay, Angel di Maria, and Morgan Schneiderlin.
