Three Serie A gems Maurizio Micheli could sign for Arsenal as Italian transfer search begins

Arsenal are close to the appointment of Maurizio Micheli from Napoli, who could be about to join the club’s recruitment team with sporting director Andrea Berta. With more than 30 years of experience in Italian football, the 57-year-old is certainly bringing a wealth of knowledge to the Gunners.

Having been credited with signing plenty of gems for his clubs, most notably Brescia and Napoli, the question will be who Micheli could be about to snap up for Arsenal? While doing plenty of deals outside his home country, there are plenty of gems inside Serie A.

With that in mind, football.london looks at a collection of some of the most eye-catching young stars in the top flight of Italian football. Any of whom could be on the radar of Berta, and particularly Micheli.

• Mikel Arteta transfer decision raises questions as ex-Arsenal player outshines £30m signing
• How Maurizio Micheli can help take Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to the next level

Francesco Camarda

Arguably, Italy’s most exciting talent for his generation, with a weight of expectation on his shoulders. Francesco Camarda is an AC Milan centre-forward currently spending time on loan with Lecce.

The 17-year-old is mainly playing as a substitute for the side looking to sustain their top-flight status this season. He has, however, managed to grab an important goal, a 94th-minute equaliser, headed in from a corner, that will surely catch the eye of a certain Nicolas Jover.

Marco Palestra

The right-back slot has been one locked down by Jurrien Timber for much of the past 18 months with Ben White struggling for fitness. It might be that the England international’s long-term future dips into uncertainty, and like on the left, Mikel Arteta seeks a younger option.

Serie A’s talented young full-back Marco Palestra offers something different with his pace and modern flair for a player in this role. Currently on loan from Atalanta to Cagliari, could it be that the Italy under-21 international grabs Micheli’s attention if he hasn’t already?

Valentin Carboni

Arguably the toughest to snatch away from one of Italy’s giants, Inter Milan. 20-year-old attacking midfielder Valentin Carboni has already earned three caps for World Cup winners Argentina.

On loan with Genoa, he remains a player who has to fight for starts and mainly remains a substitute for now, but amid a chaotic side that looks destined for the drop, Carboni might stand out as a diamond in the rough.