Riccardo Calafiori is without doubt one of the most fun names floating across the switch market this summer season, and all roads appear to level him in the direction of Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have lengthy been linked with a brand new left-sided defender to finish their virtually flawless backline. Jurrien Timber was in a position to return to full health earlier than the top of final season after an ACL damage, however the membership nonetheless seek for an improve on the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior.
In walks Bologna’s Calafiori – an thrilling, versatile defender that would convey heaps of talent to Arsenal’s squad.
The 22-year-old’s expertise has been rife in Italy, however after a stellar marketing campaign with Bologna in Serie A, Calafiori has gained the eye of sides throughout Europe. His success continued on the worldwide stage, symbolising a glimmer of hope amongst Italy’s depressing Euro 2024 match – the reigning champions have been eradicated on the final 16 stage.
Arsenal’s curiosity within the participant is concrete and the membership have already begun to have interaction in talks to convey the defender to the Emirates.
For Bologna, Calafiori was indispensable final time period. He carried out as a centre-back in three-man and four-man backlines, whereas additionally being utilised as a left-back when wanted. His talent went past the defensive position, as Calafiori was additionally in a position to drive the midfield and create integral build-up play for his membership.
In duels, he thrived, taking up one-on-one battles together with his opposition to pose an actual menace on the pitch. He is identified to be hyper-aggressive together with his markers, sprinting to the participant earlier than slowing all the way down to execute tackles with immense composure.
His aerial presence can be very engaging, and his capacity to underlap and overlap might finish Arteta’s lengthy seek for an inverted full-back.
Calafiori is presented in a number of areas of the pitch, trying snug out vast, within the centre of play and likewise when bursting by the midfield to hurry up a sport. He can be an apparent improve in defence, providing extra management than Zinchenko and higher composure than Kiwior.
Whereas the participant shouldn’t be set to essentially substitute Gabriel Magalhaes, he is also a helpful cowl possibility when wanted. Arteta stays pleased with the elite partnership between William Saliba and the Brazilian and it’s clear a brand new signing wouldn’t substitute both star.
Arsenal might closely depend on a participant like Calafiori in each defence and assault. The Italian contributed in each areas of the sport for Bologna, forming an important a part of their possession-based system. In reality, he ended his 2023/24 marketing campaign with a brace towards Juventus, including to the 5 assists he had made earlier within the season.
Bologna are reported to stay agency on their asking worth of €50m (£43m), however are anticipated to have interaction in talks with the Gunners.
A transfer for Calafiori can be extremely thrilling, and will assist Arsenal finish their 21-year look ahead to Premier League silverware.
