After a positive but ultimately disappointing 23/24 campaign where they came agonizingly close to Premier League glory, Arsenal have all but completed their first signing of the summer, agreeing a deal with Bologna for the transfer of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal will pay a fee in the region of €40 million with up to €5 million in add-ons. Arsenal first expressed interest in acquiring Calafiori over two weeks ago, but "accelerated their efforts" last week.
🚨 All agreements now in place for Riccardo Calafiori to join Arsenal from Bologna. 22yo defender still needs to do medical + sign but deal essentially done. If everything goes to plan, aim is for Italy int’l to link up with #AFC on USA tour @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/imqFkwcOXC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 24, 2024
Negotiations had stalled briefly as Calafiori’s former team, FC Basel, were due a sell-on clause of between 40 and 50 percent, which they had negotiated with Bologna as part of his transfer to the Italian outfit last summer.
It is understood that while the deal is effectively confirmed, the 22-year-old is yet to complete his medical and officially sign his contract with Arsenal. It is, however, expected that all formalities will be ironed out in time for the Italian to join the Gunners on their pre-season tour across the United States.
Calafiori emerged as one of the best young talents in Serie A last season under then-manager Thiago Motta, impressing as Bologna qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 1964/65 season. He was also integral in their league run, where they secured a top-five finish for the first time since 1970/71.
After an excellent season leading Bologna’s defense, Calafiori earned a call-up to the Italian national team in June and was included in their squad for EURO 2024. He was the standout performer in all three of his outings, earning deserved praise from players and pundits alike.
Having already established himself as one of the top defensive talents in Italy, Calafiori’s showings at EURO 2024 only solidified these claims. With comparisons being made to some of Italy’s greatest defenders, including Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, there is no doubt as to why Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bring Calafiori on board.
From a tactical perspective, it seems quite the perfect fit — at least on paper.
Calafiori began his career as a left back, but has been transitioned centrally over the last few seasons, where he has thrived. This suits Arteta’s preferred set up of a defensive line made up of four versatile center backs.
It is unlikely, though not inconceivable, that Calafiori will displace either Gabriel or William Saliba as the two starting center halves, given the duo’s impressive record playing together and Arteta’s penchant for retaining consistency and defensive chemistry.
He could, however, establish himself as a starter at left back, where he will be given freedom to roam into both central and midfield areas. With Oleksandr Zinchenko battling frequent injuries and Jurrien Timber yet to find his footing after suffering an ACL tear last year, there is a bit of a hole there at the moment.
Arsenal’s style of play in possession, which involves building up from the back with precise short passes and through balls to find midfielders and forwards in the half spaces also suits two of Calafiori’s biggest strengths: positional awareness and composure on the ball.
His versatility is another key trait that would no doubt have encouraged Arteta and Co to pursue his signature. The Italian is not only capable, but quite comfortable playing as both a left back and a left-sided center back, meaning he provides Arteta with additional flexibility.
It is the same logic behind (and big reason for) Ben White’s successes with the Gunners. As a versatile defender, White is often employed as a right back, where depending on the situation, he can fulfill one of two roles: that of a traditional full back, where he overlaps up the pitch to support Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard; or that of a hybrid defender, where he drops into a back-three with Gabriel and Saliba while the fourth defender joins the midfield.
Calafiori could, in theory, perform a similar role on the left with the same fluidity offered to Arteta and his coaching staff.
After failing to usurp Manchester City for the Premier League title by the barest of margins, Arsenal will undoubtedly be keen to improve on their positive performances. They have made deep runs in the Premier League over the last two years, along with a tidy quarter final run in the Champions League last season.
While impressive, there comes a point where “almosts” stop being enough, even with a behemoth like Manchester City in the fray. Arsenal are hungry for trophies and by all means, they have the required talent to win them, especially now having added a top prospect like Calafiori to their ranks.