£42m star says he definitely won’t leave Arsenal this summer, ‘I am convinced’

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Arsenal have a big summer transfer window coming up.

The Gunners have all but secured second place in the Premier League. That is a great achievement considering all the injuries Mikel Arteta has had to endure this term.

Andrea Berta’s big test begins soon. The Italian needs to strengthen the squad before the start of next season, while a few players need to be moved on as well.

There have been several rumours already about some of the Gunners’ stars, but one player has now come out and set the record straight.

Riccardo Calafiori rules out Arsenal exit after AC Milan swap deal links

Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori in a £42 million deal in the summer of 2024 (BBC).

The versatile defender had a terrific final season at Bologna. He then starred for Italy in the Euros, and that convinced Arteta to sign him.

Calafiori has shown flashes of his brilliance in the famous red and white, but injuries have repeatedly affected him in his debut season in North London.

That led to rumours that Arsenal could sell him, with AC Milan ready to offer two players in a swap deal for Calafiori – Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori.

However, the Arsenal man has ruled out that move.

When asked about a return to the Serie A this summer, Calafiori told Gianluca Di Marzio: “At Arsenal, I’m fine!”

He also added: “It was a good experience for me personally. Obviously, when trophies are won, it is always better. Here I measured myself with the most important and difficult championship in the world.

“I saw that I can stay here safely, this made me very happy, and I am convinced of the choice I made. A regret? None, absolutely!”

Calafiori reveals the one problem he faced this season at Arsenal

It’s never easy for a player to come to the Premier League and hit the ground running.

Calafiori, who was just 22 when he arrived at Arsenal, had to adapt to a new position, a new style of play and a completely different intensity.

The Italian fared well more often than not when he was fit, but he has acknowledged now that injuries did trouble him this season – availability was his biggest issue.

“In my opinion, what was missing was only continuity this year,” he said.

“I will try to be more available next year. When I was fine, I always played and also made a difference. The goal is only to stay fit all year round.”