Arsenal are looking to complete a second summer signing with Mikel Arteta looking to invest in his defensive options once again.
The Gunners came up short in the Premier League title race and are looking to finally usurp Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his defensive options once again this summer despite few finding it easy to score against the Gunners.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are arguably the finest centre back pairing in the Premier League and Ben White has become a superb right back.
Goalkeeper David Raya has finalised a permanent move to Arsenal after impressing on loan from Brentford, handing Arteta a shot-stopper he rates highly.
The only spot left there is left back, which has been a revolving door in recent times.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior have all featured in that role but Arteta may now make another signing there.
Lewis Ferguson on Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori
Italy star Riccardo Calafiori has become heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Bologna ace was one of few Italian players to come out of Euro 2024 with any kind of credit.
Former Roma talent Calafiori can play at centre back or left back and has the ideal versatility Arteta wants.
HITC understands that Calafiori is open to a Premier League move this summer and speculation suggests that Arsenal are now favourites.
Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Arsenal are close to landing Calafiori in a €50million (£42million) deal.
Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson has now offered his view on Calafiori whilst telling Arsenal fans what they can expect if a deal does happen.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ferguson suggested that Calafiori was simply ‘outstanding’ last season.
Ferguson noted that Thiago Motta switched Calafiori from left back to centre back and was ‘making things happen’ with his driving runs into midfield.
The Scot added that it’s no surprise that clubs such as Arsenal are interested in landing Calafiori this summer having taken his game to another level.
“Calafiori was outstanding last season,” said Ferguson. “He was originally a left back when he signed for us and the manager (Thiago Motta) switched him into a centre back. He loves getting on the ball, driving into midfield and making things happen. I’m not surprised the big clubs are looking at him,” he added.
Arsenal haven’t got the deal done just yet but Arteta will be hoping to have Calafiori on board soon.
The 22-year-old will have no shortage of suitors after his displays at Euro 2024 and Ferguson’s praise only adds to the hype around the potential Arsenal signing.
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