Andrea Berta on collision course with Diego Simeone over latest Arsenal transfer decision

Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta could be set for a transfer battle with his former employers.

The Gunners confirmed on Sunday that Berta would become the club's new sporting director, replacing Edu who left the club back in November. Jason Ayto had been serving in the role in interim charge since Edu's departure, and was linked with getting the job on a full-time basis before Berta's appointment.

Berta had previously worked at Atletico Madrid before making the switch to Arsenal, and will now be in charge of leading the club's transfer plans going forward. And it seems that, based on recent reports, Berta could be faced with a task of going up against his former clubs as one of his first jobs.

The Athletic reported over the weekend that Arsenal are expressing an interest in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres. The update came around the same time that Berta was confirmed as the Gunners' new sporting director.

The report claimed that Berta himself is an admirer of Gyokeres, with the striker apparently set to be a part of Arsenal's transfer plans going forward. Gyokeres has scored 42 goals in as many appearances for Sporting this season and has been heavily linked with a move when the summer transfer window opens.

It was only last week that Gyokeres was also reported to be a target for Atletico Madrid. Reports from Spain and Portugal have suggested that the Sporting star could be a replacement for Antoine Griezmann.

The rumours linking Atletico with a move for Gyokeres started before Berta was confirmed as Arsenal's new sporting director. If the interest from both the Gunners and Atletico turns out to be genuine, it could see Berta go head-to-head with his former club to secure the striker's signature.