Mikel Arteta has now set Arsenal an imminent deadline to secure the transfer of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna with talks ongoing over the Euro 2024 gem.
The Gunners manager is desperate to welcome Calafiori to Emirates Stadium this summer as Arsenal move to improve what was already the best defence in the Premier League. No club conceded fewer goals than the north London giants, who shipped just 29 through 38 games.
Arteta was largely reliant on three players to lock down Arsenal’s defence, however. William Saliba played all 3,420 minutes on offer last season with Gabriel Magalhaes (3,044) and Ben White (2,995) in support. Now, Arteta is eager to add Calafiori to his options at centre-back.
Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to secure Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer by July 25
That is according to football.london, which reports that Arteta has also now given Arsenal an imminent deadline to secure Calafiori’s transfer from Bologna. The 22-year-old is likely to be the first fresh signing the Gunners make this summer after a permanent deal for David Raya.
Calafiori has already agreed to personal terms with Arsenal but discussions are still ongoing with his Serie A team over the transfer fee. Bologna are striving to bank £42m by selling the five-cap gem after he started all three of Italy’s group stage games at Euro 2024 in Germany.
READ MORE: Arsenal pre-season tour 2024 – destination, fixtures, how to watch and more
Arsenal are yet to match Bologna’s asking price, so Arteta is pushing sporting director Edu to finalise an agreement in the next two weeks. The coach is keen for Calafiori to join in time to fly to the US for Arsenal’s pre-season tour that starts against AFC Bournemouth on July 25.
Riccardo Calafiori is waiting for Bologna’s permission to undergo a medical
The fee Arsenal will pay Bologna for Calafiori is the only hurdle preventing Edu from landing a transfer. Once overcome, the move may give Arteta the final piece of his defence with the Rome native comfortable with operating as a left-back as well as his natural centre-half role.
Calafiori is even in love with the possibility of joining Arsenal as he covets the chance to play under a coach like Arteta. The Euro 2024 star adores the project the Spaniard is building and Fabrizio Romano says Calafiori has already agreed to the terms for a five-year contract in N5.
Arsenal found an agreement with Calafiori at €4m-a-season (£65k-a/w) net. He is now only waiting for permission from Bologna to head to north London and undergo a medical. Arteta is also hopeful Edu can reach an agreement with I Rossoblu in time for their pre-season tour.
Arsenal chase Riccardo Calafiori and a mystery German target as England face Switzerland
In this week’s episode of The Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani debated England’s recent victory against Slovakia at Euro 2024. Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka featured for the Three Lions again, while Kyle Walker of Man City came under scrutiny.
With Arsenal linked to Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, the pair explained why the Italy star may be a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta. Recent social media rumours concerning a possible Arsenal swoop for a Germany International were addressed, with some candidates named.
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