Arsenal CEO explains club’s transfer process

Arsenal CEO explains club’s transfer process Richard Garlick outlined the roles of Andrea Berta, James King, Mikel Arteta and Josh Kroenke in Arsenal’s transfer process following another major summer window. Photo via Arsenal.com Richard Garlick has explained how Arsenal approach transfers, setting out the roles played by Andrea Berta , James King , Mikel Arteta and Josh Kroenke in deciding where the squad needs strengthening and completing deals. The Arsenal chief executive spoke to Men in Blazers a few weeks before the summer window closed, although the interview was only released after the deadline (you can see the full interview below). Garlick said Arsenal begin planning well in advance, with Arteta, Berta and King involved in shaping the club’s approach before proposals are discussed with him and Kroenke. “So beforehand, you’d be preparing what you’re looking at for a summer plan in terms of the ins and outs,” he said. “And that’s in consultation with, obviously with Mikel [Arteta], Andrea and James King. Speaking to myself and Josh [Kroenke] around what the plans might be. Obviously, Josh plays a key role in being across that and understanding the motivation of why we might want to change players or strengthen certain areas.” Once Arsenal decide to pursue a deal, Berta and King take the lead. Christos Tzolis signs for Arsenal, pictured with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta. Photo credit: Arsenal.com “Ultimately, Andrea and James have the responsibility of opening up the contacts and the negotiations,” Garlick explained. “I used to be in James’s role, so I understand how that works. And I have sat in Andrea’s seat, not at Arsenal, but when I was at West Bromwich Albion . They pull the work together, and then they will report back. And ultimately, we’ll get to a point where we’re all comfortable with going ahead and executing it.” Garlick added that his own role is largely to support that process, stepping in when required on financial, legal or club-to-club matters. “But to be fair, it’s Andrea and James who do all of the trading, all the negotiations,” he said. “I kind of try and help in the background where I can in terms of creating that environment in which they can succeed, whether that’s helping from the finance side with the ownership or whether it’s helping from the legal side or every now and again having to maybe get involved in discussions with my counterparts at those clubs if there’s a challenge or we’ve had a bit of a bump in the road just to try and find a solution to it. But predominantly, it’s down to Andrea and James.” He also outlined the principle Arsenal take into negotiations. “Well, I think you need to go in with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. You need to keep your eyes on the prize, but you need to do it in a principled way and try and stick to the principles that you have as a club and that we would have as a football leadership team.”