Arsenal chief Andrea Berta ‘in talks’ over hiring top talent spotter who found PSG star

Arsenal are in negotiations to land Napoli transfer chief Maurizio Micheli after years of impressive recruitment including the capture of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before his move to PSG

Arsenal are in talks to bring in Napoli’s head of scouting Maurizio Micheli to their recruitment team with the 57-year-old having a huge reputation following some smart spots over the years.

The Gunners appointed Andrea Berta as their sporting director earlier this year and have been keen to make further additions to their recruitment team, with Micheli the next man on their radar. The club’s assistant sporting director, Jason Ayto, left the club recently and they had been eyeing up a former senior figure at Juventus before ultimately landing on Micheli, reports the Evening Standard.

He has unearthed some stellar talent in recent times: two Napoli sensations in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marek Hamsik were both bought in under his watchful eye and neither were playing for elite European sides – or even in top leagues across the continent.

The Georgian ace has since left Naples, with Napoli netting a huge profit when he left for PSG, but he had been playing in his homeland with Dinamo Batumi before Micheli spotted him and bought him to Italy. Kvaratskhelia is now be regarded among Europe’s top players in his position.

READ MORE: Raheem Sterling issues statement after terrifying break-in with his children at homeREAD MORE: ‘Next Bukayo Saka’ sparks January transfer tussle after leaving Arsenal as free agent

Micheli is currently into his second spell at Napoli after first working there from 2010 to 2015. In more recent years he’s helped bring in players that have led to two Serie A triumphs following decades of waiting. He returned to Napoli in 2018 as their head of scouting after stints at Hellas Verona and Bologna. Prior to that he was at Udinese and Brescia, where he came across Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian would go on to become Napoli’s record goalscorer for a period.

Hamsik, like Kvaratskhelia, was an unknown quantity when he saw him playing for Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava. He would later become an icon in Naples and has spoken about how much he owes Micheli.

Arsenal’s recruitment drives have been crucial in setting them up for their title fights. Prior to this summer they’d landed the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but they again spent big in recent months.

Viktor Gyokeres was bought in amid increased calls for a striker to be signed. Further firepower was added in the form of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze – proven Premier League performers. Martin Zubimendi was landed 12 months after his stellar showing for Spain at Euro 2024.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.