Arsenal now ‘keeping a close eye’ on £42m player who Jorginho has helped ‘a lot’ recently

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Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a £42m-rated player who star midfielder Jorginho has mentored to some degree in recent weeks.

The summer transfer window has been a rather quiet affair for Arsenal supporters since the market opened earlier this month, with the Gunners yet to complete a major signing or sale, despite numerous rumours flying around.

Whilst there have been links to the likes of Joshua Kimmich and FC Barcelona wonderkid Mikayil Faye, the general expectation seems to be that Arsenal will fully jump into transfer action once the 2024 Euros have come to an end.

Yet the Gunners are now seemingly keeping an eye one of the tournament’s breakout names.

Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal’s sights after standout Euros

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are ‘keeping a close eye’ on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori who this summer has emerged as one of the hottest names in European football after his performances at the Euros for Italy.

As per the Athletic, Jorginho has emerged as a mentor of sorts for Calafiori, with the Arsenal midfielder guiding the left-footed defender ‘a lot’ through the mental challenges that a young player could face when playing at their first major international tournament.

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

With an asking price worth £42m, Calafiori could be an ideal summer signing for Arsenal given their need for more centre-back cover on the left-hand side, with the Bologna defender capable of playing centrally as well as a left-back.

Indeed, Jorginho building a rapport with Calafiori could give Arsenal a big edge in the race to sign the Bologna defender, which in the coming weeks could explode into life given how teams are believed to be interested in signing the new Italian superstar.

Arsenal must do all they can to land Calafiori this summer

Whilst it would be a cliche of sorts for Arsenal to move for Calafiori straight after the biggest few weeks of the defender’s short career, the Bologna man has been excellent all season and was key behind the Serie A side’s surprise UEFA Champions League finish.

With Juventus and Thiago Motta the favourites to land Calafiori this summer, though, Arsenal must do all they can to land the 22-year-old, who could be the ideal backup to Gabriel Magalhaes and an option for the left-back role as well.

Moreover, at £42m, Calafiori would be quite a reasonable signing that wouldn’t impact the transfer budget too drastically this summer, with a midfielder and attacker needed at Arsenal as well this window.