Arsenal are on the brink of signing Bologna and Italy ace Riccardo Calafiori, a move that could significantly bolster their already formidable defense. Despite boasting the Premier League’s meanest defence last season, the Gunners are keen to add the versatile 22-year-old to their ranks.
Italian international Riccardo Calafiori has been a standout player, even in challenging times for his national team. Despite an own goal in Italy’s 1-0 loss against Spain during the group stages of Euro 2024, Calafiori impressed with his performance, shining brightly in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Luciano Spalletti’s Squadra Azzurra.
Juventus manager Thiago Motta had also shown interest in reuniting with Calafiori at the Allianz Stadium, following their successful season together at Bologna. However, Bologna, set to compete in the Champions League next season, were unwilling to sell one of their key players to a domestic rival.
Arsenal quickly capitalized on this, presenting Calafiori with an enticing sporting project and successfully agreeing on personal terms. The Gunners are expected to pay over €53 million for Calafiori, who is adept at playing both left centre-back and left-back. His addition would provide valuable competition for the starting role at left-back and offer cover for Gabriel Magalhaes at left centre-back.
⚡️ FLASH ZONE ⚽️
Accord verbal trouvé entre Arsenal et Bologne pour Riccardo Calafiori ! 🇮🇹💫
À moins d'un énorme retournement de situation, il va rejoindre Arsenal à la fin de ses vacances. https://t.co/U1ZIYhEa2I pic.twitter.com/gkTKqCdFgP
— SPORTS ZONE (@SportsZone__) July 7, 2024
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently highlighted the progress of this transfer, noting that Calafiori has agreed to personal terms, which include a €4 million net salary on a five-year deal. Romano stated, “Calafiori wants Arsenal, after the agreement on personal terms. The club-to-club agreement with Bologna is still being negotiated, but it’s clear that Calafiori is keen on joining Arteta’s squad.” But now, according to a report from Sports Zone this Sunday, the North London club has reached an agreement with Bologna, and Calafiori is expected to seal his move once his holidays are over.
⚡️ FLASH ZONE ⚽️
Accord verbal trouvé entre Arsenal et Bologne pour Riccardo Calafiori ! 🇮🇹💫
À moins d'un énorme retournement de situation, il va rejoindre Arsenal à la fin de ses vacances. https://t.co/U1ZIYhEa2I pic.twitter.com/gkTKqCdFgP
— SPORTS ZONE (@SportsZone__) July 7, 2024
The acquisition of Calafiori would significantly enhance Arsenal’s defensive depth. His ability to play multiple defensive positions makes him a valuable asset for the team, providing flexibility and strength to a defense that was already the best in the Premier League last season.
As the transfer window progresses, it appears increasingly likely that Riccardo Calafiori’s move to Arsenal is imminent. The Gunners’ decisive actions and the player’s enthusiasm for the move suggest that it’s only a matter of time before this deal is finalized, potentially putting an end to Chelsea’s hopes of signing the Italian defender. For Arsenal fans, the signing of Calafiori could be a crucial step towards reinforcing their squad for the challenges of the upcoming season.
Jack Anderson
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This is like the Timber transfer. Went full speed then went quiet. The full speed then died down until we officially announced him.
😊
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Man City will have the worlds best attack, with Arsenal a close second behind those 3. However Arsenal could be trying to top those 3 in having the worlds best defence with their back four plus Rice as the defensive midfielder pending further purchases on their way.
Is it Arteta’s plan to mainly strengthen his teams defensive capability to a whole new level?
I see the same, it’s very tough to get the striker signing right, and even though there might be some strikers that are scoring tons of goals in other leagues, there is always a doubt about how they will fare in EPL. Unless there is another Ronaldo, or Messi out there, you can never be sure. Defense is much more predictable.
Lets try a level where we win things first
And we dont have the 4 th best attack in the world.
We have 4 Elite players that would probably start in any team in the world that are world class in SAKA, Odeguaard, Saliba and Rice.
The other players are good international and good Team players that can hold their own in most teams.
Elite players are hard to come by, but it is these type of players that we need more of to become number one.
One or two from the academy have potential to become Elite, like Obi, Lewis-skelly and Nwaneri. I hope they get promoted to the first team full time this season, even if it’s for the cup games.
Disagree with that
If one looks at George Graham’s defence and Arsene Wenger’s Invincible defence, it’s plain to see that success starts at the back.
No surprise then, that Mikel Arteta is following suit and building from the back.
It was obvious that the LB position was one that needed attention and relying on the unproven Timber was a big gamble – hence my delight in this news… if it happens.
With Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Timber and, hopefully, Calafiori joining Saliba, Gabriel, White, Raya and (currently) Ramsdale, we are well equipped for PL and CL success.
Midfield sees Rice, Partey, Zinchenko, ESR and Odegaard, with the wide men of Saka, Martinelli, Trossard, along with Havertz up front, so this FIRST transfer looks ideal in my opinion.
But we still need cover on the wings and cover for Havertz – I’m positive Mikel will address that as well… Good times ahead!!
I like defense being addressed first instead of attack as the ball starts from back.
And I think we will get cover for our forwards as well as the transfer window develops.
It’s easy to imagine for people that getting a solid striker will make a team outscore every other team to glory, but difficult to imagine an impenetrable defense can do the same. Our defense was already good last season, and with Timber and possibly Calafiori, this season is seems like we’ll go for counter attacking setup much more than the previous seasons so I am expecting a player with deadly pace to be signed as well and Martinelli might have the best Arsenal season so far.
My main concern after defense is the midfield. We want someone like Merino on the team, or Reijnders at the 6.
But I have trust that it will be resolved soon. Arteta knows where the squad lacks.