Arsenal Set to Appoint Napoli Scout Maurizio Michele for Key Recruitment Role

Arsenal are finalizing the appointment of Napoli’s head scout Maurizio Michele, credited with discovering stars like Marik Hamsik, Kim Min-jae, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Recommended by new sporting director Andrea Berta, Michele’s arrival continues Arsenal’s backroom overhaul, following major summer signings and contract renewals for key players including Saliba and Gabriel.

Doing the groundwork for another major off-field upgrade, Arsenal are set to appoint Napoli’s head of scouting, Maurizio Michele, to their recruitment team. Michele, who has spent over 15 years identifying top football talent, is credited with discovering stars such as Marek Hamsik, Kim Min-jae, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The latter rose to prominence after helping Paris Saint-Germain secure their first-ever Champions League title, having initially been signed by Napoli as an unknown player. 

Michele’s move has been orchestrated by Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, who replaced Edu and has already transformed the club’s transfer operations. Under Berta’s direction, Arsenal signed eight first-team players in the recent window, including Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eberechi Eze, while also extending key contracts for Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Talks are underway to secure long-term deals for Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice. 

Alongside these structural changes, long-serving executive James Ellis has been promoted to technical director for player recruitment, while Richard Garlick has taken over as CEO after Tim Lewis’s departure. Michele’s arrival is expected to further strengthen Arsenal’s scouting network as the North London club continues building for sustained success under Berta’s leadership.