'Essentially done': David Ornstein says Arsenal are now set to sign a player who 'has everything'

Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window to date, with no senior players having come through the doors at N5 just yet.

The Gunners did sign Tommy Setford from Ajax earlier this month, but he is a signing for the Arsenal academy rather than the first-team.

However, this could finally all be about to change, with a breakthrough finally taking place for a player the Gunners have been heavily linked with in recent weeks.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has the latest on the state of play involving Arsenal and Riccardo Calafiori.

Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24,...

David Ornstein says Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal ‘essentially done’

Arsenal have been in talks over over Bologna and Calafiori in recent weeks.

Although the deal stalled somewhat earlier this month, things picked up once again in recent days, and now, Ornstein has provided an exciting update.

The esteemed journalist revealed on X that all agreements are now in place for Calafiori to join Arsenal from the Serie A side.

Although the 22-year-old still needs to undergo his medical and sign the contract, the deal is “essentially done”, said Ornstein.

Even better, if all goes to plan, Calafiori could be linking up with the Gunners on their pre-season tour of the United States.

What can Arsenal fans expect from Calafiori?

Finally, it looks like this deal is close to completion, a happy ending for Arsenal and fans to a saga that certainly had its ups and downs.

Arsenal now look set to sign one of the most exciting young defenders in the world in Calafiori, who has done very well for Bologna.

Calafiori was also one of the few Italy players who emerged from an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign with a fair amount of credit.

When asked whether the Italian is a modern defender in the European game, Heiko Vogel replied: “Absolutely, because he has everything.

“On one hand you have the possession game, and on the other hand I think a full-back and also a centre-back needed to be a good defender.

“He’s aggressive, he’s good in the defence, in duels, in 1v1 situations, he has a good mentality, good at anticipation.

“Everything you need to be at the highest level, both in possession and opponents’ possession, he has everything.”

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano recently described Calafiori as “one of the best in the world” in terms of left-footed defensive talents.