Arsenal appear close to sign Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori as the Gunners near a £43m move after agreement with Bologna. The 22-year-old is one of the most highly anticipated defenders in world football and his name has ascended following his recent displays for Italy in the European championships.
Arsenal under Mikel Arteta like to keep their transfer talks under the wraps and that’s been the case for signing Riccardo Calafiori as well. He has been linked with a move to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus in the papers while the Gunners secured his services moving in silence.
His signing comes with a massive cause of celebration for the Gunners faithful as they have secured a player who is not only a versatile profile but also backed to do big things in world football. Former Roma and Bologna Director of Football, Walter Sabatini spoke about the potential which Calafiori possesses and thinks that Arsenal secured him for bare minimum fee with respect to
“It’s a disaster when strong young players like him leave our championship. 45 million euros as a valuation is a huge sum but the defenders were paid even more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game. Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defense and passed the ball. These are plays if you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to sink the action is something only great players have”.
Calafiori would integrate well into Arsenal’s system, potentially deploying as the left-back in a starting backline alongside Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel. Depending on the situation and opponent, he could either play as an inverted full-back or as a traditional attacking full-back.
Arteta has presented a long-term proposal to Calafiori, which the defender has accepted. The Gunners now need to act quickly to secure his services before Chelsea makes a move.
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