Arsenal Sign Ignasi Miquel From Cornella

Picture Exclusive To Young Guns [Ask If You Wish To Use It]

The agent of Spanish centre back Ignasi Miquel, has confirmed the 15 year old has been sold to Arsenal from UD Cornella, with the deal being completed when he turns 16 in October of this year.

Young Guns reported last week that Arsenal’s English born Spanish scout Francis Cagigao had spotted the former Barcelona B player who spent five years with the Catalan club before being released and joining Cornella, had faxed reports to Chief Scout Steve Rowley and head of youth development Liam Brady who have both given the go ahead for a transfer to be done, which Joseba Diaz confirmed has gone through today:

“The deal has been agreed with Arsenal and they have always behaved well.”

The fee is around an initial 500,000 rising to £1 million should he make first team appearances, Miquel is expected to travel to make a fourth trip to London, having already seen the clubs facilities, to be put through his paces by Arsene himself.

So What Is Miquel Like?

Despite reports on many websites, he is not a midfielder, but a giant imposing play left back who can also play centre half, His height (1,93 cm) and reading of the game make him an ideal acquisition who is particularly strong in the air.

Wenger has a huge reputation for buying Spanish talent, after the signings of Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida Perez, but Miquel is in a very different mould,

“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.”

It’s been playing at centre half where he has won applause recently, he starred at the heart of the defence for the Spanish under 16 side in Portugal, after previously being a left back, in front of the eye’s of scouts from Europe’s top clubs.

Manchester United, and Villareal had already faxed offers through for a trial, but with Arsenal willing to pay top money in compensation we have managed to agree the deal, Miquel will be seen as the direct replacement for Rene Steer who is set to be released in the summer.

Article By – J.Sanderson

~ by J.Sanderson on February 22, 2008.