“As my former assistant coach, I will always want the best for him, which is why I’m pointing him in the direction of signing this amazing player. This will enable him to compete in bigger competitions, as I will be retiring soon and I want him to take over in Europe,” Pep Guardiola tells Arteta to go for the £50m player if he wants to conquer Europe next season.
Arsenal have taken the lead in the race to sign a star player from Bologna, outbidding the offer from Paris-Saint Germain with a more attractive proposal.
Edu Begins Summer Transfer Moves for Arsenal
As the summer transfer window unfolds, Arsenal’s sporting director Edu has started making his moves, although activity has been relatively quiet compared to other Premier League clubs. So far, the only significant acquisition has been goalkeeper David Raya, who joins permanently from Brentford for around £27 million after a season-long loan at the Emirates during 2023/2024.
Despite numerous rumors, Arsenal has yet to finalize any other signings this summer. They are reportedly on the lookout for a new goalkeeper to replace Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave. Additionally, Edu is said to be targeting a defender, midfielder, and forward, according to Simon Collings.
Last season, Arsenal came very close to winning their first Premier League title in 20 years, pushing Manchester City to the final day of the season. To strengthen their chances, they are now looking to make key additions to their squad.
Arsenal Eyes Defensive Reinforcement
Even though Arsenal conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League last season, they are still looking to sign a new center-back. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been crucial to Mikel Arteta’s defense since the start of the 2022/2023 season, but Arteta wants an additional star player in that position.
Currently, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Jakub Kiwior serve as backup options for Saliba and Gabriel. However, these players are often used as makeshift full-backs, prompting the need for a dedicated center-back.
This has led to increased interest in Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, who had an impressive performance at Euro 2024. The Italian defender was notably missed in Italy’s last-16 match against Switzerland but stood out during the group stages with solid performances.
Arsenal in Prime Position to Sign Calafiori
Sky journalist Gianluca Di Marzio provided an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of the 22-year-old Calafiori. According to Di Marzio, PSG, Chelsea, and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested, but Arsenal is “getting closer and closer” to securing his signature.
Edu and his team have presented a more compelling project and a more attractive offer to both Calafiori and Bologna. This has placed Arsenal in a strong position to sign the defender, ahead of PSG and their London rivals.
The next few days will be crucial in finalizing the deal, which is expected to be costly. Di Marzio notes that it will take £42 million to lure Calafiori away from Bologna.