Arsenal ‘one step away’ from securing game-changing arrival

Arsenal are finalising the appointment of Napoli chief scout Maurizio Micheli, according to Italian media.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that the Gunners had reached a verbal agreement to raid reigning Serie A champions Napoli for the mastermind behind their recruitment.

For more than a decade, Micheli has built a sparkling reputation due to his eye for emerging talent. In his role as chief scout for Napoli, the Italian has unearthed gems like Marek Hamsik, who would go on to become a club legend, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-jae and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Now, he is set to take his expertise to North London after being tempted to join Andrea Berta’s recruitment team. Micheli’s compatriot has been in charge of Arsenal’s transfers since the summer, which was a record-breaking window and saw them finish with the largest net spend in the world.

Berta wants Micheli to augment his staff and potentially help the Gunners shift their transfer policy from signing established, expensive stars to up-and-coming talent for the future.

Micheli one step away from Arsenal

Although there is a verbal agreement in place for Micheli to join Arsenal, the deal isn’t quite complete just yet. According to Calcio Napoli 24, there are still some ‘final bureaucratic steps’ that need to be ironed out.

Intriguingly, the report also states that Micheli is ‘pushing’ to join Arsenal, having been left disappointed by Napoli’s failure to offer him a new contract that reflects his importance to the club’s recruitment strategy.

Micheli is expected to be given a handsomely paid four-year contract at the Emirates by his old friend Berta, with whom he worked at Brescia way back when.

Micheli is more of a hands-on, old-school scout and will not have a narrow remit at Arsenal. He is expected to travel around Europe and use his far-reaching connections to the Gunners’ benefit.

The role of ‘chief scout’ appeared to be going extinct a few years ago, but it is increasingly making a comeback, and Micheli will be at the forefront of this development.

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