Riccardo Calafiori seems to be a top target for Arsenal this summer.
For over a week now, Arsenal seems to be pursuing Italian star defender Riccardo Calafiori. According to reports, the talks are said to have reached the final stage with a deal only ‘one step away’.
Regardless, joining of Calafiori will be the second major signing for the Gunners this summer. Goalkeeper David Raya recently completed his permanent transfer to the side following a successful season on loan from Brentford.
Arteta seems to be an avid admirer of the defender’s skills. The Bologna defender who can play both center back and left back will bring balance and quality to Arsenal. Completing a transfer would be the main target for Arteta and Edu by this week.
In his last two years with Serie A side Bologna, the 22-year-old has made a total of 37 appearances. Calafiori helped his club reach fifth in Serie A and also qualify for the Champions League. Known for stepping out offensively at times to help his team, Calafiori managed to score two goals while providing five assists last season.
Riccardo Calafiori has made huge impressions with Bologna since his move from Basel last summer. The 22-year-old received his first call for a major international tournament thanks to his performance in the Italian league.
Future of the Italian
Italy was knocked out of the Euros in the Round of 16 after a disappointing defeat against Switzerland. Our star defender however missed that game thanks to the two yellow cards he received during the group stages.
Also read: Arsenal with ‘most concrete interest’ for Riccardo Calafiori
Regardless since his campaign with his National side has ended, now is the time to think about the future for Calafiori.
As per Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori: “There is talk of Juventus but also of many other teams. At this moment we will try to keep him. If important requests were to arrive we will have to think about it,”
“I am not saying that we will sell him because the president has said that he wants to keep the whole team, but we will certainly make some evaluations. I do not think he will go to Juventus, maybe to a different market, but I repeat that we would like to try to keep him.”
Bologna would definitely not want Calafiori to go to rivals Juventus. Furthermore, the side would not like to lose a player like him in the first place!
So how much will Bologna like to think about giving away Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal?
Well come to think about it, Calafiori has three more years left on his contract with Bologna. And the side wanting to keep the same team may make things difficult for others, especially Arsenal. However, it is understood that the Serie A side will entertain offers of around €50million (£42.5million).
That is going to be more than what the Gunners paid for Jurrien Timber last summer for his transfer from Ajax at £34million. However, the final fee could have been around £38milliion including the add-ons.
Ben White takes the first spot as Arsenal’s most costly defensive transfer worth £50million in the summer of 2021. Calafiori arriving at the Emirates could make him one of the costliest signings.
Arteta is currently at Marbella training with some players at a summer camp to prepare for the pre-season. According to the Spaniard, the summer transfer market situation is a little ‘tricky’ as he talked about the plans of the club:
“We are looking to improve in every possible department,” Arsenal boss Arteta told ESPN. “With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.”
He added: “I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club]. There are things that we have to improve, that’s for sure and we are going to try to. But the market is tricky.
“We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do. It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time.”
Signing Calafiori at the moment may seem like the key target for Arsenal. However, it is to be understood that other key transfers and signings are needed to end the trophy drought of the Emirates.
Read more: Football.London
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