According to reports, Arsenal’s signing of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori seems to edging closer
Calafiori is rumored to be close to moving to the Emirates Stadium and he appears to be a huge coup for the Gunners after shining at Euro 2024.
The defender is reportedly “one step away” from finalizing a trade to the Gunners, turning down offers from Juventus and Chelsea in the process, according to Italian news source Calciomercato.
Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, has also reported that the deal is set in stone as he revealed the date the 22-year-old defender will sign for Arsenal.
🚨 Excl. – Riccardo #Calafiori to #Arsenal from #Bologna for €50M. Contract until 2029 (€3,5M/year + 0,5M as bonuses guaranted). The centre-back will sign for #AFC after July 19 when he will return from Holiday (he is currently in Maldives). #transfers https://t.co/7h9kKneeLf
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) July 7, 2024
”Calafiori to #Arsenal from #Bologna for €50M. Contract until 2029 (€3,5M/year + 0,5M as bonuses guaranted). The centre-back will sign for #AFC after July 19 when he will return from Holiday (he is currently in Maldives). #transfers, ” Schira wrote on his X (formerly twitter) account.
Riccardo Calafiori potential move to Arsenal and impact
The Gunners boasted the best defense in the Premier League, conceding just 28 goals, the lowest in the league.
With Williams Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the defense, Arsenal had the highest number of clean sheets, as they battled Manchester City, taking the title challenge to the last day.
With Calafiori’s addition, Mikel Arteta’s side is expected to build on the previous season’s impressive performance. The towering defender, recognized for his versatility have played as a left back and a left center back in previous times and appears to be valuable acquisition for the Gunners.
