July 7th 2024.
Italian footballer Riccardo Calafiori has been turning heads with his impressive performances for his country at Euro 2024. It seems that his skills have not gone unnoticed, as Arsenal is reportedly in the final stages of securing his signature.
The 22-year-old was a key player for Italy during the tournament, and his absence due to suspension was deeply felt as his team suffered a loss in the round of 16 against Switzerland. Despite Arsenal's strong defensive record last season, manager Mikel Arteta is determined to bolster their backline this summer.
While Jurrien Timber is expected to play a more prominent role after recovering from injury, Arteta is keen on adding a left-footed center-half who can also provide cover at full-back. Although the club had considered other options such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Murillo from Nottingham Forest, and Jorrel Hato from Ajax, it seems that Calafiori is the perfect fit for their requirements and is also easily attainable.
Negotiations seem to be progressing smoothly, with personal terms already agreed upon. According to reports, Arsenal is planning to hold talks with Bologna this week to finalize a transfer fee in the region of £40 million. Arteta is hopeful that a deal can be finalized in time for Calafiori to join the team for their pre-season tour of America.
The Gunners are set to face Bournemouth in California on July 25, followed by matches against rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. Securing Calafiori's services will come at a cost, with Arsenal expected to spend around £40 million on the young talent.
In other news, the potential signing of Calafiori could mean that Arsenal will be open to offers for Polish international Jakub Kiwior. The 24-year-old joined the team from Spezia 18 months ago but has struggled to impress Arteta. While he did have a brief spell at full-back last season, his performance fell short and he hardly featured after a disappointing game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Aside from their pursuit of Calafiori, Arsenal has also expressed interest in Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley. It seems that the club is actively looking to strengthen their squad this summer, and fans can expect more updates and news as the transfer window progresses.
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