One of the worst-kept secrets of the transfer market was finally confirmed by Arsenal on Monday.
After weeks of speculation, and around a month after the reports first emerged, The Gunners announced the signing of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
And you can’t help but feel some pang of sympathy for the Rossoblu.
Their reward for sealing Champions League football – for the very first time, no less – was to lose head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus, star striker Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United, and now their buccaneering centre-half to the Premier League runners-up.
Modern football can be a cruel game, at times.
Bologna’s loss is most certainly Arsenal’s gain. Dubbed the ‘ideal’ destination for Calafiori by 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi, the North London newbie is a centre-half who possesses almost every attribute Mikel Arteta could want.
A superb ball-carrier out from the back – it was his trademark barnstorming run which set up Mattia Zaccagni’s last gasp equaliser for Italy against Croatia at Euro 2024 – Calafiori also offers a versatile streak which could see him line up at left-back next to, rather than instead of, Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna
Arsenal paid an initial £34 million, rising to £42 million with add-ons. A ‘brilliant’ piece of business, to quote former Highbury hero Paul Merson.
Bologna midfielder and former team-mate Giovanni Fabbian is, at least, pleased to see Calafiori rewarded for a stellar 2023/24 campaign and a stand-out European Championships.
Though that does not offset the disappointment at seeing another highly important player follow Zirkzee from Italy to England.
“He has shown that he is a great footballer,” Fabbian tells Tuttomercatoweb. “He had a perfect year and now there is this leap for him.
“I really wish him the best. In addition to being a great player, he is also a great guy. The whole team has grown as a squad, the group has made the difference.”
Calafiori is the latest talented youngster to leave Serie A for the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Sandro Tonali, Destiny Udogie and co, much to the frustration of many Italy-based pundits.
Fabio Capello, the former England manager, described his departure as ‘a shame’. In an ideal world, Capello would have preferred to see Calafiori reunite with Motta at Juventus.
“We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence,” Arteta tells the Gunners website of his new number 33.
“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.
“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”
HITC understands that Arsenal could now sell Jakub Kiwior.
The Pole, on the radar of Scudetto holders Inter Milan, spent much of last season moonlighting as a left-back with rather mixed results.
Edu and Mikel Arteta delighted by £34 million arrival
“It has been a great team effort in completing this transfer and we welcome Riccardo to the family,” sporting director Edu adds of Arsenal’s first new signing of 2024.
“We identified Riccardo as part of our strategy to sign players who fit our profile and will reinforce our squad to compete at the highest level. He is 22 but brings quality and experience. He will quickly grow into being an Arsenal player.
“Riccardo has consistently shown his quality for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season, and gave strong performances for Italy in the Euros this summer.
“Mikel and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt.”
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