Joseph Portelli is on the verge of completing the acquisition of Italian Eccellenza side Ars et Labor Ferrara.

The Ħamrun Spartans president has made no secret of his ambition to acquire an Italian football club. During last month’s Annual General Meeting, he announced that he had bought an Italian Eccellenza club—equivalent to the fifth tier of Italian football. While Portelli did not divulge the name of the club at the time, he strongly hinted that the side had played in the Italian Serie A as recently as 2021, suggesting he was referring to SPAL, now known as Ars et Labor Ferrara.

Although the Gozitan entrepreneur initially denied he was in talks to buy Ars et Labor Ferrara when approached by the Times of Malta, speculation has continued to grow in Italy this week.

Finalizing the Deal in Rome

Portelli and his close associate, Marcel Bonnici, arrived in Rome on Friday to finalize talks and seal the deal. The pair are expected to meet with Ars et Labor owner Andres Marengo to sort out the last few details of the transaction that will see the Eccellenza club pass into the ownership of the Ħamrun Spartans president.

Sources said that hat the due diligence process over the deal has produced no negative responses. As a result, it is understood that the sale of the club will be finalized by next week.

A Long-Awaited Ambition

Once concluded, the deal will mark a major milestone for Portelli, who has been trying to purchase an Italian club for several years.

• Siena Calcio: Earlier this year, Portelli had a bid to buy the club turned down.
• Nocerina Calcio: He was previously in advanced talks to take over the club, but the deal fell through in its closing stages.

Now, it seems his wish to buy Ars et Labor Ferrara is becoming a reality. Despite the club’s current low standing, it presents an attractive proposition for the Maltese businessman.

A Historic Club Ready for Revival

Ars et Labor Ferrara carries a rich history but has faced immense turbulence recently. In August 2025, SPAL Calcio was declared bankrupt due to growing debts that amounted to €18 million.

Despite the off-field troubles the club has endured in recent years, the team still enjoys a fiercely loyal following, averaging around 7,000 fans for their most important matches of the season.

After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, there is growing hope among the fanbase that Portelli’s financial backing and leadership can help the historic team move back up the ranks of Italian football.