Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori after weeks of speculation surrounding a possible move.
The Gunners are hoping to strengthen for another push towards the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s men have come up short in the last two seasons, narrowly failing to overhaul Manchester City at the top of the table.
Arsenal are gearing up to go again though and have already secured the permanent signing of loanee David Raya.
Another deal has now been done with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori completing his much-anticipated move.
Calafiori has admitted that he ‘waited a lot’ as Arsenal attempted to thrash out a deal with Bologna.
Riccardo Calafiori reacts to Arsenal move
Calafiori arrives having impressed at Euro 2024, one of few Italy players to emerge with any kind of praise.
A physical defender, Calafiori has been nicknamed ‘bulldozer’ in Italy but also provides quality on the ball.
Calafiori’s superb run and assist to set up Italy’s leveller against Croatia this summer will have certainly excited Arsenal fans.
The expectation is that Calafiori will feature at left back for Arsenal, but he can also cover for Gabriel Magalhaes as a left-sided centre back.
The 22-year-old has now taken to Instagram in order to share his thoughts after finally completing his move.
Calafiori simply stated one word – ‘finally’.
Calafiori showed photos of himself signing his Arsenal contract and posing alongside Gunners boss Arteta.
Bologna teammates Oussama El Azzouzi and Stefan Posch both congratulated Calafiori on his move.
Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee added ‘happy for you brother’, whilst there was even a message from Roma striker Tammy Abraham.
Calafiori and Abraham crossed paths at Roma and the striker simply offered up a heart emoji and a clapping emoji.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright also left a comment, stating ‘welcome amico’ as he welcomed the defender to North London.
Tammy Abraham will be watching Calafiori
Abraham played nine times with Calafiori at Roma, winning seven and losing just twice.
The 26-year-old striker will not only be watching Calafiori due to an interest in a former teammate.
Abraham grew up supporting Arsenal; he may have come up in the ranks at Chelsea but he is a boyhood Gunners fan.
Arsenal wanted to sign the striker in 2021 with Abraham admitting the move appealed to him.
Roma ended up winning the race though and that’s where he joined forces with Calafiori.
Who knows, perhaps Calafiori will go up against his former teammate soon with Abraham wanted in the Premier League this summer.
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