Arsenal want another kid
by Laurent Picard, 20 February 2008
Arsenal are negotiating with Spanish club Cornella for the signing of 15-year-old Ignasi Miquel.
Arsene Wenger has always been a huge fan of young Catalan midfielders, snapping up Cesc Fabregas in 2003, and then Fran Merida from the same Barcelona academy three years later.
Miquel, 15, could be next on the Frenchman’s list, as The Gunners are negotiating with his club Cornella according to the Spanish press.
Francis Cagigao is the London club’s scout in Spain. He was born in England, educated at Arsenal and played for Barca’s B team before turning to coaching.
Cagigao and Wenger are said to have planned a meeting with chairman Jose Galvez and sporting director Andres Manzano from Cornella to discuss the youngster’s future, who will only be able to join The Gunners when he turns 16.
“He is very tall, which permits him to be good in the air,” Manzano said of the Spaniard in Mundo Deportivo. “He is very comfortable with his left foot.”
Miquel started his young career with Espanyol, but quickly moved to Barca, where he played for five years but did not convince them he would become a good player.
A host of Spanish clubs have been linked to Miquel, including Villarreal and Valencia. Manchester United are rumoured to have sent a fax to Cornella to offer the wonderkid the chance to experience a trial.
Fabregas’ agent Joseba Diaz represents The Gunners’ target, and his good relationship with Wenger’s club is an asset for the negotiations. Indeed Miquel and his family were reportedly invited to visit the club last week.
“We are surprised and proud that our work has been awarded by a media exposure,” Manzano commented.
Miquel recently debuted for Spain Under-16s in a tournament in Portugal.