Arsenal are waiting for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori to arrive as Mikel Arteta makes changes at left back ahead of the new season.
The Gunners have boasted one of the best defensive records in Europe in recent times.
Few attackers relish facing the Arsenal back line and their considerable investment is now paying off.
Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have all been signed under Mikel Arteta, handing him an embarrassment of riches at the back.
Arsenal are still keen to invest in defenders though and are closing in on a major addition.
HITC understands that Arsenal have now reached an agreement in principle with Bologna for the signature of defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italian excelled at Euro 2024 and was a key factor in Bologna’s qualification for the Champions League,.
Arsenal talent Myles Lewis-Skelly tested at left back
Calafiori is adept as a centre back but the likelihood is that he will be playing as a left back at Arsenal.
Nuno Tavares has already moved on to Lazio whilst HITC understands that Arsenal are willing to let Zinchenko, Kiwior and Kieran Tierney leave.
Four left backs out would be a surprise but Arsenal are seemingly prepared to clear the decks with Calafiori inbound.
Arsenal also have Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu as left back options, but Arteta is now trying to create a new left back option of his own.
Arsenal beat Leyton Orient 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, picking up a victory in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Martin Odegaard catching the eye.
The write-up on Arsenal’s official website stated that teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly started at left back in that game.
Lewis-Skelly is a midfielder by trade but Arteta now appears to be trying to convert him into a left back.
Reports from the London Evening Standard in March suggested that Arsenal coaches have picked up Lewis-Skelly as a player who could convert to left back and play an inverted role like Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arteta has now put that plan into action by giving him a chance to shine against Leyton Orient.
This seemed like the perfect time to give it a try with Tierney still nursing a hamstring problem from Euro 2024.
Zinchenko and Kiwior were also in action at Euro 2024 this summer so Arsenal needed a makeshift left back – and up stepped Lewis-Skelly.
The 17-year-old is one of Arsenal’s most promising talents and has already been spotted in first-team training this year.
Lewis-Skelly may now find that left back is the position for him in the future, potentially as competition for incoming signing Calafiori down the line.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
