Arsenal chief Andrea Berta's stance on transfers after snubbing big-money targets

Andrea Berta is determined to achieve value for money in his first summer transfer window as Arsenal's sporting director as the club close in on a £55million deal for Noni Madueke.

The Gunners have stepped up their activity in the transfer market in recent weeks, clinching deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, who was unveiled on Thursday. And the spending will not stop there with talks already taking place over further signings.

A blockbuster deal for Viktor Gyokeres is still in the works despite claims from Portugal that talks were on the verge of collapsing.

And Arsenal are now a step closer to a deal for Madueke, 23, after reaching an agreement in principlewith Chelsea for the England star.

Madueke will provide depth in the wide areas of Arsenal's attack and has been pursued ahead of some high-profile names including Rodrygo, Nico Williams and Morgan Rogers.

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A new report from The Times outlines that all three of those players would have cost significantly more than Madueke to sign, with Arsenal still wanting a new No 9 and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.

Furthermore, Berta's stance in the transfer market is clear: he does not want to overpay when it comes to transfer fees or wages.

The former Genoa and Atletico Madrid chief is said to believe that he can sign good players for around the £65m mark, with a deal for Madueke coming in comfortably under that sum. The player has already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal.

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It remains to be seen if that stance will see Arsenal continue to pursue a deal for Gyokeres; Berta himself travelled to Portugal for face-to-face talks last week, but a Gunners delegation returned to London without a deal.

Sporting are said to want a guaranteed £69m for their star striker, who is unlikely to return to pre-season training on Friday after making it clear that he wants out.

Gyokeres, 27, scored a remarkable 54 goals last season and will spearhead Arsenal's new-look attack if a compromise can be reached with Sporting on a financial package in the coming days.

Arsenal also considered signing Benjamin Sesko this summer in their search for a new No 9, while Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa was also a target both this summer and back in January.

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