What transfer Arsenal will now prioritise after Riccardo Calafiori revealed as two targets named

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After confirming the signing of Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal are now ready to turn their attention towards securing other transfer targets.

Arsenal have now officially confirmed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italian defender has joined the North London club from Bologna on a long-term deal. Calafiori has now joined the touring Arsenal squad in the US and has introduced himself to his new teammates.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have added the 22-year-old to his roster, but will still be keen to get more business done this summer.

The Gunners are known to want to strengthen their squad in a number of areas. Signing a striker remains a priority, and Arsenal are now exploring deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.

There is also a question mark over the goalkeeping contingent. Arsenal have now signed David Raya on a permanent basis, but Aaron Ramsdale is still expected to leave the club and will need replacing as a back up option between the sticks.

However, above all, according to journalist Charles Watts, Arsenal are now intent on strengthening their hand in the middle of the park.

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Arsenal now chasing Mikel Merino and Fabian Ruiz

According to Watts, writing in his Daily Briefing column, the Gunners are now ready to invest in their midfield contingent, having gotten a deal for Calafiori over the line.

The reporter confirmed that Mikel Merino is a player that the club are keen on, and pointed out that the Real Sociedad man is available at a good price, as the La Liga outfit are wary of losing him as a free agent next summer as he only has one year left on his current contract.

Arteta is known to be willing to sign Merino, despite the 28-year-old being over the usual age profile that Arsenal tend to target.

Watts also named another star of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, Fabian Ruiz, as a current target. However, he then added: “I still think Merino is the main target though and he would be a fine addition. He would add versatility, which is so important to any signing who comes in under Mikel Arteta.”

What Arsenal need from a midfield signing

The most important thing, no matter who is brought in to bolster the midfield this summer, is that he can slot in comfortably alongside both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Rice is able to play at the base of the midfield trio as well as in a more advanced No. 8 role alongside Odegaard. This versatility is important to Arteta, and as noted by Watts is an attribute that Merino shares.

The Spaniard can also switch between the two roles, allowing him to rotate and interchange freely with Rice, and making him the ideal target to pursue.