Arsenal are set to make a major investment as they close in on a deal to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori after his impressive Euro 2024 displays.
The Gunners are gearing up for another Premier League title tilt this season.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have managed to see off Arsenal for two seasons in a row, but Mikel Arteta will be making another push.
The transfer window has been a little quiet for Arsenal so far with David Raya’s permanent move from Brentford the only major addition.
Arsenal did though wrap up a deal for Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford on Sunday, adding the teenager to the development ranks.
Fans will want to see first-team additions though and Arsenal appear to be closing in on a major signing.
Leonardo Bonucci on Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal
HITC understands that Arsenal have now reached an agreement in principle with Bologna over a deal for defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The 22-year-old not only dazzled for Italy at Euro 2024 but also helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
A left-footed defender who can play at centre back or left back, Calafiori will offer real flexibility for Arteta.
Arsenal are nearing a deal for Calafiori, which will be a very nice pay day for Swiss side Basel, who have a 50% sell-on clause on Calafiori having sold him to Bologna last summer.
The Gunners will be looking to put the final touches on a move this week but the reaction in Italy has been less than positive.
Salernitana’s Walter Sabatini has branded the move a ‘disaster’, believing that Serie A is losing one of its top talents by selling Calafiori to Arsenal.
“It’s a disaster when strong young players like him leave our league,” said Sabatini. “45 million euros as a valuation is a huge sum but there are defenders worth even more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game. Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays if you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to sink the action is something only great players have,” he added.
That verdict has now been backed up by former Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.
A legend of the Italian game at both club and country level, Bonucci has been asked about Calafiori given that Juventus had shown an interest.
Bonucci has told Calciomercato that he is ‘sorry’ to see Calafiori joining Arsenal rather than staying in Serie A with a move to Juventus.
Bonucci would have much preferred to see Calafiori head to Juventus, believing that he would have been a much different defender to what the Turin giants are used to seeing.
The Italy Euro 2020 hero added that Serie A is now losing a player who will be vital for the national team for the next 15 years, seemingly sad to see him depart Italy.
“I’m sorry about his transfer,” said Bonucci. “I would have liked to see him at Juventus. He’s a slightly different defender than what we’re used to seeing. He plays, has personality and fits in. We’re exporting a great player who will be a point of reference for the national team for the next 15 years,” he added.
This kind of verdict will certainly excite Arsenal fans, who are now ready to welcome another defender to the club.
Arsenal have invested in a number of defenders in the Arteta era which certainly helps their reputation as one of the best defensive teams around.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber have all been brought in under Arteta.
Calafiori is now set to follow, offering another option at left back whilst also being able to cover for Gabriel if needed.
Perhaps Calafiori ends up back in Serie A one day, but his immediate future looks to be in the Premier League as Arsenal pull off an impressive raid.
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