If £43m Riccardo Calafiori deal collapses Arsenal must revive move for star with similar stats

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Arsenal must rekindle their interest in one Bundesliga star this summer if they can’t get a deal for Riccardo Calafiori over the line.

Arsenal are still working on a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori. 

Whilst the Gunners are yet to agree a fee for the defender with Bologna, Arsenal have at least agreed personal terms with Calafiori himself. 

It would seem that the Italian is very keen to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium. After all, Calafiori has sent a clear message to Chelsea that Mikel Arteta’s project is his preferred option. 

However, that does not necessarily mean that the Gunners are certain to get a deal done for the 22-year-old, as Bologna are demanding a fee of £43m. If their pursuit of Calafiori falls through, Arteta will need to pivot to an alternative target.

If this situation arises this summer, then Arsenal ought to seriously consider Nico Schlotterbeck as a viable alternative.

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Why Arsenal must sign Nico Schlotterbeck if they can’t get Riccardo Calafiori 

Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Schlotterbeck in the past. The Borussia Dortmund star is certainly an excellent defender, and was part of Germany’s Euro 2024 squad. 

It is the 24-year-old’s striking similarities to Calafiori, though, which may convince Arteta that he is an ideal alternative option to the Italy international.

Like Calafiori, Schlotterbeck is naturally left-footed, and is comfortable playing at left-back and in the heart of the defence. This means that they would both serve the same function in Arteta’s plans, and would offer valuable back up to Gabriel Magalhaes. 

According to FBRef data, the two players share a very similar profile, and several key statistics underline and support this observation. 

On the ball, per ninety minutes, Calafiori completes 89.6% of his passes, including 3.68 progressive passes. He also completes 1.07 progressive carries and produces 1.76 shot creating actions. Schlotterbeck’s numbers in the same categories, respectively, are strikingly similar, coming in at: 88%, 5.42, 1.6, and 1.41.

Defensively there is, again, little to choose between the pair. Per ninety minutes, Calafiori makes 1.8 tackles and 1.92 interceptions. Meanwhile, Schlotterbeck records 2.25 tackles and 1.31 interceptions.

Stylistically they are slightly different defenders. However, they are both effective at both ends of the pitch, and can each be considered capable of addressing the issue in the Arsenal squad that Arteta is seeking to solve with this signing.