Arsenal are in advanced talks over appointing Napoli head of scouting Maurizio Micheli into a leading recruitment position.
In what would be viewed as a significant coup for the London club, Micheli – who has been credited with the identification of players such as Marek Hamsik, Kim Min-jae and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – is said to be finalising a move to Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League club have undergone a period of internal change over the previous 12 months following the departures of sporting director Edu and his number two Jason Ayto.
Andrea Berta was appointed the club’s sporting director in April and is playing a key role in shaping the club’s recruitment department.
And Berta is understood to have identified Micheli, 57, as a key appointment to his team, with discussions already believed to be underway.
The Italian has held numerous scouting roles across Serie A, including positions at Bologna and Brescia.
He originally joined Napoli in 2010 in the position as chief scout but left for the head of scouting role at Hellas Verona in 2015. Micheli eventually returned to Naples in 2018 in his current role.
It is remains to be seen how far Micheli’s remit would stretch if he is appointed at Arsenal.
Long-serving executive James Ellis was promoted into the position of technical director earlier this year.
Micheli has developed a reputation as one of Italian football’s leading talent-spotters in recent years.
In addition to Hamsik, Kim-Jae and Kvaratskhelia, the transfer specialist has also been credited with unearthing former Ghana internationals Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan among others during his time working for Udinese.
