HERE WE GO ✅: Arsenal complete the signing of Italian Defender on a 5yr deal, Medical completed last night – Unveiling currently ongoing at London Colney

Arsenal are making a determined effort to secure the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, aiming to finalize the deal before their competitors can make a move. Reports suggest that Arsenal has offered Calafiori a weekly wage of £65,000 to entice him to join the club.

Historically, Arsenal has been cautious in the center-back market, acquiring only Gabriel and William Saliba in recent years. In contrast, other Premier League clubs have signed notable defenders such as Josko Gvardiol, Wesley Fofana, Micky van de Ven, and Lisandro Martinez. However, this conservative approach is expected to change soon. According to TuttoBologna, Arsenal is now leading the race to sign Calafiori and has laid out personal terms to attract the former Roma star, as they strive to win their first top-flight title in 21 years.

Arsenal Offers Riccardo Calafiori Improved Terms
The defender could soon be heading to North London. The report indicates that Arsenal is making significant progress in their pursuit of Calafiori, with the club pushing hard to secure his signature. Mikel Arteta’s team is working to finalize the move as quickly as possible. While an agreement with Bologna on the transfer fee has not yet been reached, Arsenal’s willingness to meet the financial demands has given them a substantial advantage over other interested clubs, including Chelsea and Juventus. Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano recently described Calafiori as ‘one of the best in the world’.

Arsenal is offering Calafiori €4 million per year, equivalent to £65,000 per week, to finalize the deal, while Bologna is seeking a fee of around £43 million for their star defender. Despite this, Bologna may offer Calafiori a new deal with a significant wage increase to retain him, especially since the club has qualified for the Champions League.

Calafiori Would be the Perfect Signing for Arsenal
The Gunners are known for their attractive, passing football, and Calafiori would fit seamlessly into this style. His transfer value is expected to rise, given his status as one of Italy’s best defenders, especially after his performances at EURO 2024. Although Italy as a whole did not impress in the warm-up games before the tournament in Germany, Calafiori stood out with his committed defending, confidence in bringing the ball out, and overall composure as a ball-playing defender.

While he scored an unfortunate own goal against Spain, he redeemed himself with a superb assist for Mattia Zaccagni in Italy’s last-gasp 1-1 draw against Croatia, helping them qualify for the knockout stages. This display of world-class quality is something Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would highly value at the Emirates Stadium.

Currently, William Saliba and Gabriel are Arsenal’s first-choice center-backs, with Jakub Kiwior as the only decent backup. Signing Calafiori would be a strategic move for the future, as he can also fill in at left-back if Oleksandr Zinchenko’s form declines. This addition would significantly strengthen Arsenal’s defensive lineup, enhancing their chances in both domestic and international competitions.