Todd Boehly has taken the next step towards transforming Chelsea after the American-led consortium completed a £4.25billion takeover of the west London club on Monday. The LA Dodger co-owner has found a potential replacement for the Blues' reigning transfer chief, Marina Granovskaia.
The Russian businesswoman, who is renowned for leading the club's transfer and contract negotiations, has been long-serving director at Stamford Bridge. But, being a close ally and trusted member of Roman Abramovich's network at Stamford Bridge has caused concern.
Regardless of the looming doubt regarding Granovskaia's future at Chelsea, the club's new ownership group are expected to 'push for A-list signings' to mark a new era at Stamford Bridge, according to the MailOnline. And, with Boehly eager to bolster the Blues' armoury, The Telegraph indicate that after player sales are taken into account, Thomas Tuchel is set to have £200million at his disposal to strengthen his side.
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So, with new transfer plans seemingly in mind, Chelsea are set for a new lick of paint in the boardroom. According to Sport Bild, Boehly is preparing for Granovskaia's August exit with the appointment of Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta who is being eyed as her natural heir.
Berta, the current Atletico Madrid sporting director, is held in high regard in Spain as an elite transfer chief. football.london have collated everything you need to know about the man who could be moving to West London.
Employment history
Berta began his career in the boardroom at Italian side AC Carpenedolo in 2002 as a sporting director. He then joined Parma in a similar role in 2007 before climbing the ladder and penning a deal with Genoa in 2009.
After a four-year break from the boardroom, Berta was appointed technical director at Atletico Madrid, before becoming sporting director in 2017. He has since worked alongside Diego Simeone, steering the Spanish giants towards two La Liga titles.
Notable transfer activity
Jose Maria Gimenez from Danubio FC, 2013/14 - £896,000
David Villa from Barcelona, 2013/14 - £1.89million
Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad, 2014/15 - £48.6million
Jan Oblak from Benfica, 2014/15 - £14.4million
Yannick Carrasco from Monaco, 2015/16 - £13.5million
Diogo Jota from Pacos Ferreira, 2016/17 - £6.3million
Rodri from Villarreal, 2018/19 - £18million
Thomas Lemar from Monaco, 2018/19 - £64.8million
Joao Felix from Benfica, 2019/20 - £114.5million
Marcos Llorente from Real Madrid, 2019/20 - £27million
Alvaro Morata from Chelsea, 2020/21 - £31.5million
Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese, 2021/22 - £31.5million
Accolades
In 2019, Berta was awarded with the best sporting director of the year for the work he has done at Atletico Madrid since 2013.
Previous links
Manchester United reportedly made an offer to Andrea Berta before their off-field restructure earlier in 2021. Newcastle are also said to have been after the Atletico Madrid transfer chief, but have since appointed Dan Ashworth. Spanish outlet AS claim United pursued Atletico Madrid chief Berta last year and contacted the Italian with a proposal.
