CONFIRMED: Arsenal in ‘advanced talks’ with scout who discovered Kvaratskhelia

Robin Bairner

12 Nov 2025 08:16 GMT
4 min read

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are closing in on an important agreement to secure the signing of Maurizio Micheli, Napoli’s head of scouting, who was the man who discovered Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

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Mikel Arteta’s side may have a world-class team on the pitch, but there is an understanding that they need to be backed by similar quality behind the scenes, and Micheli is considered to be an important component for the team moving forward.

BBC Sport reports that he is close to joining the club in what is described as a “leading recruitment position”.

Micheli is said to be “finalising” his move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who joined the Gunners in April, is said to have personally identified the Italian as an important figure for his staff as he builds a team around him capable of supporting Arteta in his coaching duties.

The Gunners promoted James Ellis into the role of technical director in June in one of Berta’s first big decisions. He was previously the club’s head of recruitment.

Meanwhile, Micheli identified Kim Min-jae and Marek Hamsik for Napoli, yet Kvaratskhelia is his crowning glory. The Georgia international was signed for €13m from Dinamo Batumi in 2022 but was sold in January 2025 to PSG for €70m. Kvaratskhelia would later finish 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

© IMAGO - Kvaratskhelia: Micheli's best ever signing

Why Arsenal are signing Micheli

Micheli’s recruitment has won such acclaim that it was the subject of an article in Corriere dello Sport, in which his methods for finding players were examined. Creating personal connections has been central to his success.

The Italian source (via CalcioNapoli1926) says: “With 25 years in football behind him and a wealth of relationships forged with players and agents across the world, built on both friendship and professionalism, Micheli is immensely proud of them – they are his hallmark.

“The foundation of his method lies in video and data analysis, of course, yet the man with the suitcase has always relied above all on human relationships: phone calls, live matches, and personal connections, especially on an international scale.”

Previously, he had been tipped as Napoli’s “sporting director in waiting” due to his proximity to many of the club’s biggest deals.

“He manages the transfer market for the Serie A champions, working closely with president Aurelio De Laurentiis. His role is that of head of recruitments, but it is Micheli who establishes relationships and holds meetings with players, agents and other directors,” Corriere dello Sport claimed in 2023.

Arsenal are not just getting themselves an elite scout; they are signing a man with the potential to climb the ladder at the Emirates.

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