Arsenal are in talks to sign Napoli transfer boss Maurizio Micheli after a number of impressive signings over the years, including the acquisition of Hvica Kvaratschelia before his move to PSG.
Arsenal are in talks to bring Napoli’s head of scouting, Maurizio Micheli, into their recruitment team, with the 57-year-old boasting a huge reputation having secured some quality spots over the years.
The Gunners appointed Andrea Berta as sporting director earlier this year and are keen to further strengthen their squad, with Micheli being tipped to be their next choice. The club’s assistant sporting director, Jason Ayt, recently left the club and was eyeing the former Juventus executive before eventually landing on Micheli, the Evening Standard reports.
He has recently discovered some bright talent. Two Napoli sensations, Hviča Kvaratschelia and Marek Hamsik, were both bought under his watch, but neither had played in Europe’s elite teams or even in the continent’s top league.
The Georgia ace then left Napoli, who made a huge profit with a move to PSG, but he played in his home country with Dinamo Batumi before Micheli spotted him and bought him to Italy. Kvaratschelia is currently considered one of Europe’s top players in his position.
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Micheli is currently in his second season at Napoli, having worked there from 2010 to 2015. In recent years, he has helped bring in players who have won two Serie A titles over the decades. He returned to Napoli as head of scouting in 2018 after spells at Hellas Verona and Bologna. Prior to that, he was at Udinese and Brescia, where he met Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian was for a time Napoli’s record goalscorer.
Hamsik, like Kvaratschelia, was an unknown quantity when he was seen playing for Slovak team Slovakia Bratislava. He later became a symbol of Napoli and has spoken of how much he is indebted to Micheli.
Arsenal’s recruitment drive will be crucial as they prepare to compete for the title. Prior to this summer, they had brought in the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but they have again spent big in recent months.
Amid increasing calls to sign a striker, they have acquired Victor Gokeres. Further firepower has been added in the form of Premier League proven Noni Maduke and Eberechi Eze. Martin Zvimendi was signed 12 months after his impressive performance for Spain at Euro 2024.
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