Arsenal can sign Carlo on a ‘free’ from Napoli

CARLO ANCELOTTI’S hopes of a swift return to management have been boosted by news that his new club will not have to pay compensation to Napoli. Everton and Arsenal have had the 60-year-old manager in their sights since he was sacked on Tuesday by Napoli, who are are paying him until the summer or when he takes a new job, whichever comes first.

Sportsmail can reveal that Ancelotti has appointed the respected London-based agency Base Soccer to negotiate his next job. Base are the football arm of global talent firm Creative Artists Agency (CAA), who boast some of the most high-profile sportsmen on the planet. CAA look after the commercial interests of players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, James Rodriguez and Dele Alli. Meanwhile, Ashley Cole believes his ex-boss is the man to transform Arsenal’s fortunes. Cole, who played under Ancelotti at Chelsea, said: ‘I think he would bring togetherness. I’ve spoken about him a lot in terms of not just how good he was on the pitch but in terms of being a friend and someone that isn’t always serious. You have to go out on the training pitch and have a laugh. ‘You have to enjoy what you’re doing and he brought that in training sessions with his coaching staff. But then when we went to games he would give you that love and a push — and the understanding of what it means to win games. ‘He’s won so much in his career as a player and a coach so he’s someone that when he talks everybody listens. ‘I think it would be great if he went to Arsenal.’