Mikel Arteta is pushing arduous to signal Riccardo Calafiori for Arsenal in the summertime switch window.
The Gunners have been closely linked with the Bologna centre-back and are broadly thought-about the favourites to nab him over quite a few different golf equipment.
Curiosity within the 22-year-old grew over the previous month following his spectacular performances for Italy within the group stage of Euro 2024.
Arteta has lengthy been a fan of Calafiori and it’s thought the Arsenal supervisor would deploy him as an inverted full-back in his lineup.
Learn – Arsenal solely membership in talks to signal Calafiori
Nonetheless, it has now emerged that the Basque coach’s admiration of the versatile defender is probably not shared by everybody on the membership.
The Athletic report that Arteta “might must persuade others throughout the membership that the deal represents good enterprise”.
Bologna are mentioned to be in search of round €50 million (£42.5m) for Calafiori, which might be a hefty charge to speculate when the north London outfit already boast the perfect defence within the Premier League. They conceded the fewest targets (29) of any workforce final season.
The arrival of Calafiori might additionally see certainly one of their left-sided defenders go away Arsenal, particularly Jakub Kiwior or Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Who’s Riccardo Calafiori, the participant Arteta desires to signal for Arsenal?
Riccardo Calafiori is a left-footed defender who can play as a centre-back on both the left or proper, in addition to left-back or left wingback.
The Italy worldwide got here by means of the academy at AS Roma, for whom he made 18 senior appearances in all competitions earlier than becoming a member of Swiss outfit FC Basel in 2022.
The next 12 months Calafiori returned to Serie A and joined Bologna, the place head coach Thiago Motta moved him to the centre of defence. He excelled within the function, serving to the membership qualify for the Uefa Champions League for the primary time since 1964/65. He made 30 league appearances, scoring twice and offering two assists.
Calafiori has 5 caps for the Italian nationwide workforce, three of which got here within the group stage of Euro 2024. He missed out on their knockout conflict with Switzerland after being handed a one-match suspension for choosing up two bookings.
Learn – 5 gamers who might be a part of Arsenal this summer season
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